Pause for a moment. Consider the lives of a wealthy Roman family nearly two thousand years ago. Here before us lies the Römische Grabkammer in Cologne-Weiden. It is the most significant Roman tomb north of the Alps. Its remarkably preserved state speaks volumes.
The Römische Grabkammer was discovered in 1843. Ferdinand Sieger was digging for a new building. He stumbled upon rubble and a hidden staircase. The stairs led to a stone slab five meters deep. Sieger broke the slab expecting treasure. Instead he found more rubble.
The mayor and a landowner funded further excavation. In 1844, Ernst Friedrich Zwirner bought the land for Prussia. Zwirner reconstructed the tomb. He made the additions easily distinguishable. A protective building and a guardhouse were added. The Römische Grabkammer opened to the public in 1848.
Imagine descending the stairs into the Römische Grabkammer. Six meters below street level lies a rectangular chamber. It measures about 3.6 by 4.5 meters and stands 4.2 meters high. Large tuff blocks form the walls. Red sandstone frames the doorway.
Inside the Römische Grabkammer, three large niches line the walls. These niches are designed as resting beds or klinen. Colorful marble once adorned them. Smaller niches likely held offerings. Two limestone chairs sat within the chamber. These chairs mimicked basket weave. Marble busts of two women and a man once stood here. These were likely portraits of the deceased family.
Fragments of a Carrara marble sarcophagus were also found. This high-quality sarcophagus depicts the seasons. A medallion shows a deceased couple held by goddesses. Allegories of the four seasons flank them. The sarcophagus was made in Rome and transported to Cologne.
The Römische Grabkammer dates back to the first half of the 2nd century. A new burial space was built above it in the 3rd century. The family likely used the Römische Grabkammer until the mid-4th century.
Consider the fate of smaller artifacts. Ash containers or urns were found. Glass drinking vessels were present. A square bottle with residue was also discovered. Amber beads and a silver bowl completed the collection. Most tragically, these items were moved to Berlin. They were lost during World War II.
Today the Römische Grabkammer is cared for by a dedicated association. They offer public tours on the third Saturday of each month. You can also book group tours through Museumsdienst Köln. The Römische Grabkammer stands as a testament to Roman life. It serves as a place of learning and remembrance. A window into a distant world.