Roman Mansio

At this point, in the 3rd century AD, a Roman hostel (mansio) was located directly above what was then the Rhine bank. The foundation walls were uncovered during excavations.
Parts can be seen through the viewing window in the original. The ground plan is outlined in the pavement. The outline of the building was approx. 12 × 22 m. It was complex with greywacke and slate foundations.

The rising walls consisted of tufa stones and were about two Roman feet (about 60 cm) thick on the lower storey. The building materials all came from Vordereifel. They were loaded in the Roman port of Andernach and transported by ship to Neuss.
Five rooms can be distinguished inside the building. The two central areas were heated by ducts embedded in the ground and covered with brick slabs. Numerous findings of hollow bricks (tubular ducts) suggest that the warm air was directed upwards through a wall heating system.

In the south-east corner, the pillars of an extensive floor heating system (hypocaust system) were laid open on a screed layer. It heated a small bath.
On the front and on the south side, the hostel was surrounded by a porch (Porticus).
In front of the building's south corner stood a massive tufa well to supply the travellers' draught animals. The well frame is unique in Neuss. It consists of approx. 80 × 80 cm, precisely cut, original segment stones, which were mined near Kruft in the Eifel.

Thanks to its outstanding location on the Rhine River and direct access to the Roman Rhine River Road, the hostel was used by travellers on the water and land route. The building was abandoned in the 4th century and served as a quarry from the 9th century.

Sources and texts: Office for City Planning, Underground Monument Conservation
Graphic design: Cornelius Uerlichs
Translation: A.C.T. Fachübersetzungen GmbH