Hildegardplatz, Cultural heritage square and archaeological site in Kempten, Germany
Hildegardplatz is a public square in Kempten that functions simultaneously as an archaeological site, preserving remnants from different historical periods. The surface serves everyday city life while below ground or through displayed information, evidence of former settlements and structures remains documented and protected for research and education.
The square was built over the remains of settlements that document multiple phases of habitation, reaching back to the earliest periods of the city's history. Excavations have revealed that this location held importance across centuries, serving different purposes during various historical periods.
The square is named after a notable historical figure and today serves as a public gathering space where modern life intersects with preserved layers of the past. Visitors moving through the area can observe how the design and informational markers tell stories of previous inhabitants and their connection to this location.
The square is accessible on foot and can be visited at any time, as it is a publicly open area. Informational panels on site explain the archaeological finds and the location's significance, allowing visitors to understand the area without a guided tour.
What makes this location distinctive is the direct layering: as people walk across the square in their daily lives today, archaeological layers lie immediately beneath, potentially hundreds or thousands of years old. This rare coexistence of present-day activity and preserved history creates a living window into the city's past.
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