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    Roman-Era Staircase Discovered During Excavation in Cologne’s Historic Centre

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    Roman-Era Staircase Discovered During Excavation in Cologne’s Historic Centre

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    Archaeologists in Cologne have uncovered well-preserved Roman remains during excavations for a new underground visitor route at the MiQua LVR Jewish Museum. The findings include a lararium, a household shrine dedicated to the Lares, and the foundations of a large, multi-aisled Roman basilica dating from the 4th century. Additionally, a staircase from the late 1st century was discovered, connecting a low area near the Rhine to the praetorium.

    Archaeologists in Cologne have uncovered a lararium, a household shrine dating from the 2nd century, which is the first of its kind found in Northern Europe. The City of Cologne reported that this significant discovery was made during preparations for a new subterranean visitor route at the MiQua LVR Jewish Museum. The excavations also revealed the foundations of a 4th-century Roman basilica and a late 1st-century staircase, both of which are expected to feature prominently in the upcoming exhibition when the museum opens to the public.

    Excavations in Cologne have uncovered Roman remains, including a lararium and the foundation of a 4th-century basilica, during preparations for an underground visitor route at the MiQua LVR Jewish Museum. The finds, which will be accessible to the public for the first time, are expected to form a central part of the museum’s upcoming subterranean tour. City officials note that this discovery provides valuable insights into daily life in Roman Cologne, expanding knowledge of architectural elements rarely preserved in urban settings.

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    Roman-Era Staircase Discovered During Excavation in Cologne’s Historic Centre
    Excavations in a historic square in Cologne, Germany, threw up a surprise when workers accidentally stumbled upon Roman-era finds. It includes the remains of an ancient Roman staircase which dates back to the late 1st century, making it around 2,000 years old. The finds were buried underneath the LVR Jewish Museum in the Archaeological Quarter of the city, and the preserved stretch of stairs shows how movement through a Roman palace adapted to the terrain, being so near the Rhine river. (Picture: City of Cologne/Roman-Germanic M)

    BY MARK WORGAN Archaeologists working beneath the historic centre of Cologne have uncovered exceptionally well-preserved Roman remains, including a rare shrine to domestic gods that is the first ever found in Northern Europe. The find was made during excavations linked to a new underground visitor route at the MiQua ??? LVR Jewish Museum in the Archaeological Quarter of Cologne, city officials have said. The most striking discovery is a lararium - a household shrine dedicated to the Lares, the protective deities of the home - found within the former Roman praetorium, the governor???s palace that once symbolised imperial power in the province of Germania Inferior. Lararia were widespread in Roman homes across the Mediterranean. This one dating from the 2nd century is unique north of the Alps, with comparable examples previously found only in Roman cities buried by volcanic eruptions, such as Pompeii. The team involved in excavations say the Cologne find is almost unprecedented, with traces of original wall painting still visible inside the altar niche. Small nail holes above and beside the niche indicate that garlands once decorated the shrine. Below it, a clear break line marks where the altar table had originally been set. That stone slab was also recovered during the excavation and is expected to be restored to its original position. The discoveries were made during work carried out by the City of Cologne as part of preparations for the museum???s subterranean tour. Because sections of the new route descend to unusual depths, archaeologists have been able to identify structures that are normally lost, having been destroyed by later building work. In this case, the remains survived because they had already been buried in Roman times. Their position on and beneath the former slope of the River Rhine meant they were sealed by embankments early in antiquity, shielding them from later disturbance. Among the other significant finds is the foundation of an apse belonging to a large, multi-aisled Roman basilica dating from the 4th century. Measuring up to four metres thick, it was initially thought to be made of Roman cast concrete, known as opus caementicium. Detailed examination revealed instead a layered construction of tuff, basalt and limestone, bonded with an exceptionally strong mortar of brick and gravel. Before the excavation, the structure appeared on Cologne???s town hall square only as a slight depression. It is now accessible to visitors for the first time. Archaeologists have also uncovered a staircase from the late 1st century, revealed only during the current works. The steps once connected a low-lying area near the Rhine with higher ground associated with the early praetorium. The precise point at which the staircase ended remains unknown. Staircases are rarely preserved in Cologne???s archaeology, as most Roman buildings survive only at foundation level. Specialists say this example endured thanks to favourable topographical conditions, with early Roman structures buried through backfilling during the Roman period itself. The finds are expected to form a central part of the underground tour when the MiQua museum opens to the public. Featuring: Detail of Roman staircase from the 1st century. Where: Cologne, Germany When: 24 Feb 2026 Credit: City of Cologne/Roman-Germanic Museum, Franziska Bartz/Cover Images **All usages and enquiries, please contact info@cover-images.com - +44 (0)20 3397 3000EDITORIAL USE ONLY. MATERIALS ONLY TO BE USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH EDITORIAL STORY. THE USE OF THESE MATERIALS FOR ADVERTISING, MARKETING OR ANY OTHER COMMERCIAL PURPOSE IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED. MATERIAL COPYRIGHT REMAINS WITH STATED SUPPLIER.**
    The excavation work focused on an underground visitor passage beneath Rathausplatz, in the heart of Cologne’s city centre. The staircase discovered once led from a large palace called the praetorium, which was typically used as a residence for Roman commanding officers or governors. (Picture: City of Cologne/Roman-Germanic M)

    BY MARK WORGAN Archaeologists working beneath the historic centre of Cologne have uncovered exceptionally well-preserved Roman remains, including a rare shrine to domestic gods that is the first ever found in Northern Europe. The find was made during excavations linked to a new underground visitor route at the MiQua ??? LVR Jewish Museum in the Archaeological Quarter of Cologne, city officials have said. The most striking discovery is a lararium - a household shrine dedicated to the Lares, the protective deities of the home - found within the former Roman praetorium, the governor???s palace that once symbolised imperial power in the province of Germania Inferior. Lararia were widespread in Roman homes across the Mediterranean. This one dating from the 2nd century is unique north of the Alps, with comparable examples previously found only in Roman cities buried by volcanic eruptions, such as Pompeii. The team involved in excavations say the Cologne find is almost unprecedented, with traces of original wall painting still visible inside the altar niche. Small nail holes above and beside the niche indicate that garlands once decorated the shrine. Below it, a clear break line marks where the altar table had originally been set. That stone slab was also recovered during the excavation and is expected to be restored to its original position. The discoveries were made during work carried out by the City of Cologne as part of preparations for the museum???s subterranean tour. Because sections of the new route descend to unusual depths, archaeologists have been able to identify structures that are normally lost, having been destroyed by later building work. In this case, the remains survived because they had already been buried in Roman times. Their position on and beneath the former slope of the River Rhine meant they were sealed by embankments early in antiquity, shielding them from later disturbance. Among the other significant finds is the foundation of an apse belonging to a large, multi-aisled Roman basilica dating from the 4th century. Measuring up to four metres thick, it was initially thought to be made of Roman cast concrete, known as opus caementicium. Detailed examination revealed instead a layered construction of tuff, basalt and limestone, bonded with an exceptionally strong mortar of brick and gravel. Before the excavation, the structure appeared on Cologne???s town hall square only as a slight depression. It is now accessible to visitors for the first time. Archaeologists have also uncovered a staircase from the late 1st century, revealed only during the current works. The steps once connected a low-lying area near the Rhine with higher ground associated with the early praetorium. The precise point at which the staircase ended remains unknown. Staircases are rarely preserved in Cologne???s archaeology, as most Roman buildings survive only at foundation level. Specialists say this example endured thanks to favourable topographical conditions, with early Roman structures buried through backfilling during the Roman period itself. The finds are expected to form a central part of the underground tour when the MiQua museum opens to the public. Featuring: Detail of Roman staircase from the 1st century. Where: Cologne, Germany When: 24 Feb 2026 Credit: City of Cologne/Roman-Germanic Museum, Franziska Bartz/Cover Images **All usages and enquiries, please contact info@cover-images.com - +44 (0)20 3397 3000EDITORIAL USE ONLY. MATERIALS ONLY TO BE USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH EDITORIAL STORY. THE USE OF THESE MATERIALS FOR ADVERTISING, MARKETING OR ANY OTHER COMMERCIAL PURPOSE IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED. MATERIAL COPYRIGHT REMAINS WITH STATED SUPPLIER.**
    The staircase led from the Praetorium down to the Rhine river, though nobody knows exactly where the staircase ended or began. Archaeologists say that usually staircases like this are not so well-preserved but later Roman building work covered part of the stairs, which actually helped to protect them for centuries. (Picture: City of Cologne/Roman-Germanic M)

    BY MARK WORGAN Archaeologists working beneath the historic centre of Cologne have uncovered exceptionally well-preserved Roman remains, including a rare shrine to domestic gods that is the first ever found in Northern Europe. The find was made during excavations linked to a new underground visitor route at the MiQua ??? LVR Jewish Museum in the Archaeological Quarter of Cologne, city officials have said. The most striking discovery is a lararium - a household shrine dedicated to the Lares, the protective deities of the home - found within the former Roman praetorium, the governor???s palace that once symbolised imperial power in the province of Germania Inferior. Lararia were widespread in Roman homes across the Mediterranean. This one dating from the 2nd century is unique north of the Alps, with comparable examples previously found only in Roman cities buried by volcanic eruptions, such as Pompeii. The team involved in excavations say the Cologne find is almost unprecedented, with traces of original wall painting still visible inside the altar niche. Small nail holes above and beside the niche indicate that garlands once decorated the shrine. Below it, a clear break line marks where the altar table had originally been set. That stone slab was also recovered during the excavation and is expected to be restored to its original position. The discoveries were made during work carried out by the City of Cologne as part of preparations for the museum???s subterranean tour. Because sections of the new route descend to unusual depths, archaeologists have been able to identify structures that are normally lost, having been destroyed by later building work. In this case, the remains survived because they had already been buried in Roman times. Their position on and beneath the former slope of the River Rhine meant they were sealed by embankments early in antiquity, shielding them from later disturbance. Among the other significant finds is the foundation of an apse belonging to a large, multi-aisled Roman basilica dating from the 4th century. Measuring up to four metres thick, it was initially thought to be made of Roman cast concrete, known as opus caementicium. Detailed examination revealed instead a layered construction of tuff, basalt and limestone, bonded with an exceptionally strong mortar of brick and gravel. Before the excavation, the structure appeared on Cologne???s town hall square only as a slight depression. It is now accessible to visitors for the first time. Archaeologists have also uncovered a staircase from the late 1st century, revealed only during the current works. The steps once connected a low-lying area near the Rhine with higher ground associated with the early praetorium. The precise point at which the staircase ended remains unknown. Staircases are rarely preserved in Cologne???s archaeology, as most Roman buildings survive only at foundation level. Specialists say this example endured thanks to favourable topographical conditions, with early Roman structures buried through backfilling during the Roman period itself. The finds are expected to form a central part of the underground tour when the MiQua museum opens to the public. Featuring: Close-up of lararium. Where: Cologne, Germany When: 24 Feb 2026 Credit: City of Cologne/Roman-Germanic Museum, Michael Wiehen/Cover Images **All usages and enquiries, please contact info@cover-images.com - +44 (0)20 3397 3000EDITORIAL USE ONLY. MATERIALS ONLY TO BE USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH EDITORIAL STORY. THE USE OF THESE MATERIALS FOR ADVERTISING, MARKETING OR ANY OTHER COMMERCIAL PURPOSE IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED. MATERIAL COPYRIGHT REMAINS WITH STATED SUPPLIER.**
    The site also revealed the foundations to what would have been a 4th century Roman basilica, or church, and a small private household altar from the 2nd century, BBC reports. This kind of altar is called a lararium, which would be built into a wall. Small figurines would then be placed inside as well as food offerings for their household gods. (Picture: City of Cologne/Roman-Germanic M)

    BY MARK WORGAN Archaeologists working beneath the historic centre of Cologne have uncovered exceptionally well-preserved Roman remains, including a rare shrine to domestic gods that is the first ever found in Northern Europe. The find was made during excavations linked to a new underground visitor route at the MiQua ??? LVR Jewish Museum in the Archaeological Quarter of Cologne, city officials have said. The most striking discovery is a lararium - a household shrine dedicated to the Lares, the protective deities of the home - found within the former Roman praetorium, the governor???s palace that once symbolised imperial power in the province of Germania Inferior. Lararia were widespread in Roman homes across the Mediterranean. This one dating from the 2nd century is unique north of the Alps, with comparable examples previously found only in Roman cities buried by volcanic eruptions, such as Pompeii. The team involved in excavations say the Cologne find is almost unprecedented, with traces of original wall painting still visible inside the altar niche. Small nail holes above and beside the niche indicate that garlands once decorated the shrine. Below it, a clear break line marks where the altar table had originally been set. That stone slab was also recovered during the excavation and is expected to be restored to its original position. The discoveries were made during work carried out by the City of Cologne as part of preparations for the museum???s subterranean tour. Because sections of the new route descend to unusual depths, archaeologists have been able to identify structures that are normally lost, having been destroyed by later building work. In this case, the remains survived because they had already been buried in Roman times. Their position on and beneath the former slope of the River Rhine meant they were sealed by embankments early in antiquity, shielding them from later disturbance. Among the other significant finds is the foundation of an apse belonging to a large, multi-aisled Roman basilica dating from the 4th century. Measuring up to four metres thick, it was initially thought to be made of Roman cast concrete, known as opus caementicium. Detailed examination revealed instead a layered construction of tuff, basalt and limestone, bonded with an exceptionally strong mortar of brick and gravel. Before the excavation, the structure appeared on Cologne???s town hall square only as a slight depression. It is now accessible to visitors for the first time. Archaeologists have also uncovered a staircase from the late 1st century, revealed only during the current works. The steps once connected a low-lying area near the Rhine with higher ground associated with the early praetorium. The precise point at which the staircase ended remains unknown. Staircases are rarely preserved in Cologne???s archaeology, as most Roman buildings survive only at foundation level. Specialists say this example endured thanks to favourable topographical conditions, with early Roman structures buried through backfilling during the Roman period itself. The finds are expected to form a central part of the underground tour when the MiQua museum opens to the public. Featuring: Breakthrough in the apse. Where: Cologne, Germany When: 24 Feb 2026 Credit: City of Cologne/Roman-Germanic Museum, Michael Wiehen/Cover Images **All usages and enquiries, please contact info@cover-images.com - +44 (0)20 3397 3000EDITORIAL USE ONLY. MATERIALS ONLY TO BE USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH EDITORIAL STORY. THE USE OF THESE MATERIALS FOR ADVERTISING, MARKETING OR ANY OTHER COMMERCIAL PURPOSE IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED. MATERIAL COPYRIGHT REMAINS WITH STATED SUPPLIER.**
    The lararium found in Cologne revealed traces of painted plaster and nail holes above and beside the opening ,which would be where garlands of ribbons were once hung during rituals. The city says these discoveries are similar to those found from Pompeii – one of the more famous Roman sites in the world. (Picture: City of Cologne/Roman-Germanic M)

    BY MARK WORGAN Archaeologists working beneath the historic centre of Cologne have uncovered exceptionally well-preserved Roman remains, including a rare shrine to domestic gods that is the first ever found in Northern Europe. The find was made during excavations linked to a new underground visitor route at the MiQua ??? LVR Jewish Museum in the Archaeological Quarter of Cologne, city officials have said. The most striking discovery is a lararium - a household shrine dedicated to the Lares, the protective deities of the home - found within the former Roman praetorium, the governor???s palace that once symbolised imperial power in the province of Germania Inferior. Lararia were widespread in Roman homes across the Mediterranean. This one dating from the 2nd century is unique north of the Alps, with comparable examples previously found only in Roman cities buried by volcanic eruptions, such as Pompeii. The team involved in excavations say the Cologne find is almost unprecedented, with traces of original wall painting still visible inside the altar niche. Small nail holes above and beside the niche indicate that garlands once decorated the shrine. Below it, a clear break line marks where the altar table had originally been set. That stone slab was also recovered during the excavation and is expected to be restored to its original position. The discoveries were made during work carried out by the City of Cologne as part of preparations for the museum???s subterranean tour. Because sections of the new route descend to unusual depths, archaeologists have been able to identify structures that are normally lost, having been destroyed by later building work. In this case, the remains survived because they had already been buried in Roman times. Their position on and beneath the former slope of the River Rhine meant they were sealed by embankments early in antiquity, shielding them from later disturbance. Among the other significant finds is the foundation of an apse belonging to a large, multi-aisled Roman basilica dating from the 4th century. Measuring up to four metres thick, it was initially thought to be made of Roman cast concrete, known as opus caementicium. Detailed examination revealed instead a layered construction of tuff, basalt and limestone, bonded with an exceptionally strong mortar of brick and gravel. Before the excavation, the structure appeared on Cologne???s town hall square only as a slight depression. It is now accessible to visitors for the first time. Archaeologists have also uncovered a staircase from the late 1st century, revealed only during the current works. The steps once connected a low-lying area near the Rhine with higher ground associated with the early praetorium. The precise point at which the staircase ended remains unknown. Staircases are rarely preserved in Cologne???s archaeology, as most Roman buildings survive only at foundation level. Specialists say this example endured thanks to favourable topographical conditions, with early Roman structures buried through backfilling during the Roman period itself. The finds are expected to form a central part of the underground tour when the MiQua museum opens to the public. Featuring: Overview of lararium with remains of the side frames. Where: Cologne, Germany When: 24 Feb 2026 Credit: City of Cologne/Roman-Germanic Museum, Michael Wiehen/Cover Images **All usages and enquiries, please contact info@cover-images.com - +44 (0)20 3397 3000EDITORIAL USE ONLY. MATERIALS ONLY TO BE USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH EDITORIAL STORY. THE USE OF THESE MATERIALS FOR ADVERTISING, MARKETING OR ANY OTHER COMMERCIAL PURPOSE IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED. MATERIAL COPYRIGHT REMAINS WITH STATED SUPPLIER.**
    This is actually the first lararium discovered north of the Alps, and is similar in style to those from key Vesuvian cities, like Pompeii. Experts suggest that this altar being inside a Praetorium suggests the prominence of cult worship within official Roman dwellings, while analysis of the masonry shows a different method, not standard Roman concrete, was used in building. (Picture: City of Cologne/Roman-Germanic M)

    BY MARK WORGAN Archaeologists working beneath the historic centre of Cologne have uncovered exceptionally well-preserved Roman remains, including a rare shrine to domestic gods that is the first ever found in Northern Europe. The find was made during excavations linked to a new underground visitor route at the MiQua ??? LVR Jewish Museum in the Archaeological Quarter of Cologne, city officials have said. The most striking discovery is a lararium - a household shrine dedicated to the Lares, the protective deities of the home - found within the former Roman praetorium, the governor???s palace that once symbolised imperial power in the province of Germania Inferior. Lararia were widespread in Roman homes across the Mediterranean. This one dating from the 2nd century is unique north of the Alps, with comparable examples previously found only in Roman cities buried by volcanic eruptions, such as Pompeii. The team involved in excavations say the Cologne find is almost unprecedented, with traces of original wall painting still visible inside the altar niche. Small nail holes above and beside the niche indicate that garlands once decorated the shrine. Below it, a clear break line marks where the altar table had originally been set. That stone slab was also recovered during the excavation and is expected to be restored to its original position. The discoveries were made during work carried out by the City of Cologne as part of preparations for the museum???s subterranean tour. Because sections of the new route descend to unusual depths, archaeologists have been able to identify structures that are normally lost, having been destroyed by later building work. In this case, the remains survived because they had already been buried in Roman times. Their position on and beneath the former slope of the River Rhine meant they were sealed by embankments early in antiquity, shielding them from later disturbance. Among the other significant finds is the foundation of an apse belonging to a large, multi-aisled Roman basilica dating from the 4th century. Measuring up to four metres thick, it was initially thought to be made of Roman cast concrete, known as opus caementicium. Detailed examination revealed instead a layered construction of tuff, basalt and limestone, bonded with an exceptionally strong mortar of brick and gravel. Before the excavation, the structure appeared on Cologne???s town hall square only as a slight depression. It is now accessible to visitors for the first time. Archaeologists have also uncovered a staircase from the late 1st century, revealed only during the current works. The steps once connected a low-lying area near the Rhine with higher ground associated with the early praetorium. The precise point at which the staircase ended remains unknown. Staircases are rarely preserved in Cologne???s archaeology, as most Roman buildings survive only at foundation level. Specialists say this example endured thanks to favourable topographical conditions, with early Roman structures buried through backfilling during the Roman period itself. The finds are expected to form a central part of the underground tour when the MiQua museum opens to the public. Featuring: View of the apse before the excavation began. Where: Cologne, Germany When: 24 Feb 2026 Credit: City of Cologne/Roman-Germanic Museum, Michael Wiehen/Cover Images **All usages and enquiries, please contact info@cover-images.com - +44 (0)20 3397 3000EDITORIAL USE ONLY. MATERIALS ONLY TO BE USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH EDITORIAL STORY. THE USE OF THESE MATERIALS FOR ADVERTISING, MARKETING OR ANY OTHER COMMERCIAL PURPOSE IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED. MATERIAL COPYRIGHT REMAINS WITH STATED SUPPLIER.**
    These discoveries are useful in expanding our knowledge of daily life in Roman Cologne, with these architectural elements rarely preserved in such an urban context. The finds will form part of a future exhibition, which will offer visitors a chance to see these structures that lay deep beneath the modern city for centuries. (Picture: City of Cologne/Roman-Germanic M)

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