Culture
Xanten
Roman city, Gothic cathedral and a medieval town gate
Xanten at a glance
55 minby car
48.4 kmdistance
- Location
- Xanten (Germany)
- Park
- LVR-Archäologischer Park Xanten
- Cathedral open
- March to October Mon to Sat 10:00 to 18:00, Sun 12:30 to 18:00
- Parking
- free at Parkplatz Rheintor (P22), Varusring
- World Heritage
- Lower Germanic Limes, UNESCO since 2021
Archäologischer Park Xanten
On the site of the Roman city of Colonia Ulpia Traiana lies the LVR-Archäologischer Park Xanten, the largest archaeological open-air museum in Germany. Around the year 98, Emperor Trajan gave the city the status of a colonia; in the second century more than ten thousand people lived on its 73 hectares. The city was part of the Lower Germanic Limes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2021.
Reconstructions show what the city looked like: the Hafentempel (harbour temple), the amphitheatre, an inn and the city wall with its towers. You walk through the passages beneath the amphitheatre and watch excavations in progress. In the LVR-RömerMuseum you follow the Roman history of Xanten, from the legions to late antiquity.
St. Viktor's Cathedral
In the middle of the old town stands the Dom St. Viktor, St. Viktor's Cathedral. Friedrich von Hochstaden laid the foundation stone in 1263; building went on until 1544. The Gothic basilica with five aisles has seventeen restored altars and a cloister.
In 1945 the cathedral was badly damaged; it was rebuilt from 1947 to 1966. In the crypt the martyr Viktor and his companions are remembered, and since 1966 also Christian resistance fighters from the Nazi era. From March to October the cathedral is open Monday to Saturday from 10:00 to 18:00, and on Sundays from 12:30.
Through the Klever Tor
The Klever Tor, a town gate from 1393, is one of the old entrances to the town centre; the gate now houses three holiday apartments. Within the old town you walk on past the Gotisches Haus, the Kriemhildmühle windmill and the DreiGiebelHaus.
According to the most important manuscripts of the Nibelungenlied, Xanten is the birthplace of the hero Siegfried. The SiegfriedMuseum shows how that story has been told and used through the centuries.
Tip from reception
Park for free and without a time limit at Parkplatz Rheintor (P22) on the Varusring, on the edge of town. Xanten is 55 minutes away: set off after breakfast and check the park's current opening hours beforehand.
Reception team, Parkhotel Horst
Good to know
Archäologischer ParkReconstructions, excavations and the LVR-RömerMuseum. Check the current opening hours and admission beforehand.
St. Viktor's CathedralMarch to October Mon to Sat 10:00 to 18:00, November to February until 17:00. On Sundays from 12:30.
Free parkingAt Parkplatz Rheintor (P22) on the Varusring and at the P+R on the Bahnhofstraße, with no time limit.
World HeritageThe Roman city was part of the Lower Germanic Limes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2021.
Photos: Steffen Schmitz (CC BY-SA 4.0, RömerMuseum); Zairon (CC BY-SA 3.0, cathedral); Steffen Schmitz (CC BY-SA 4.0, city wall); via Wikimedia Commons. Photo parking sign: Waldemar Brandt via Unsplash.
Make a day of it
From the breakfast buffet to the Romans in Xanten, and back to your own wellness.
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Start the day at the breakfast buffet of Parkhotel Horst.
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After a 55-minute drive you see the towers of St. Viktor's Cathedral, built from 1263 to 1544, rising above Xanten, with the Kriemhildmühle in front.
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Back in Horst, the indoor pool, saunas and wellness lounge are waiting, free for hotel guests.
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End the day with dinner at restaurant BØFF.
Your room, wellness included
Six rooms, from the Comfort room to the Apartment. With every room you use the pool, saunas, steam room and lounge free of charge.
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Getting there
From the hotel it takes about:
LVR-Archäologischer Park Xanten, Xanten (Germany)
Frequently asked questions
Any other questions? Call reception: +31 77 397 6000How far is Xanten from Horst?
The Archäologischer Park Xanten is about a 55-minute drive from Parkhotel Horst, some 48 kilometres.
What can you see in the Archäologischer Park?
Reconstructions from the Roman city of Colonia Ulpia Traiana, such as the Hafentempel, the amphitheatre, an inn and the city wall with watchtowers, plus the LVR-RömerMuseum. Opening hours and admission are on the park's website.
Is Xanten worth a visit without the park?
Yes. St. Viktor's Cathedral and the old town with the Klever Tor from 1393, the Gotisches Haus and the Kriemhildmühle are well worth a visit, and in the swimming season, from May to September, there is a sandy beach at the Xantener Südsee lake.
Can you do Xanten and Kevelaer in one day?
Yes. Kevelaer is about 30 minutes from the hotel and Xanten 55 minutes; with a stop in Kevelaer you can combine them in one day.
Where can you park in Xanten?
The town recommends the free car parks with no time limit on its edge: Parkplatz Rheintor (P22) on the Varusring and the P+R on the Bahnhofstraße.
When is Xanten Cathedral open?
From March to October, Monday to Saturday from 10:00 to 18:00 and Sunday from 12:30 to 18:00. From November to February the cathedral closes at 17:00 from Monday to Saturday.
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Photos of the cards: AnnikaManthey (CC BY-SA 4.0); B. Hulshoff (CC BY-SA 4.0); Vincent van Zeijst (CC BY-SA 4.0); via Wikimedia Commons.
Photos: Rabax63 (CC BY-SA 4.0); Steffen Schmitz (CC BY-SA 4.0; also cathedral); Dietmar Rabich (CC BY-SA 4.0); H.Helmlechner (CC BY-SA 4.0); via Wikimedia Commons.
After Xanten: pool, wellness and dinner at BØFF
Back from Germany, you sleep surrounded by greenery, with your own wellness under the same roof.