Gods and Temples @museum.de

Here, in the area of the old Hohenberg Castle, next to today's prison, evidence of Roman temples has been found since 1842-two. These included statues of gods, reliefs, inscriptions, and parts of buildings. It was not until 1995 that excavations began. During these excavations, researchers discovered that Sumelocennas' sacred district lay right beneath our feet!

At that time, people worshipped Roman gods. These included Juno, Jupiter, Minerva, Apollo, and Diana. At the same time, however, the population continued to believe in Celtic gods such as Herecura, the goddess of fertility and the dead, and Sirona, the goddess of healing. The Persian sun god Mithras was also worshipped here. In the center of this temple district stood two large Gallo-Roman temples. Each temple measured approximately 18 by 18 meters and stood in a row with two smaller cult buildings. Inside the second temple, there were indications of an altar or an image of a god. Opposite the first temple was a building with a colonnade, colorful mosaic floors, and painted walls. This building could have been a meeting place, accommodation for pilgrims, or a priest's house. The priests and priestesses ensured that the strict cultic rules were observed.

On the northern wall of the temple precinct stood a large hall with a hearth or altar. The sanctuary could be reached via a staircase leading to a road about 5 meters wide. This road led north to a large city gate with a gateway and southeast to the center of the Roman city.

That was a brief insight into the Roman sanctuary of Sumelocenna. Thank you for listening!

Foto 1: © Sumelocenna - Römisches Stadtmuseum Rottenburg am Neckar

Visualisierung Römische Götter: KI-generiert