Museum für Antike Schifffahrt

Beneath the modern city of Mainz, whispers of Roman legions and their mighty Rhine fleet echo through time. The Museum für Antike Schifffahrt stands as a gateway to this fascinating past. It houses a remarkable collection of Roman warships discovered in 1981 near the Zollhafen. These vessels offer a glimpse into a pivotal era when Mainz, known then as Mogontiacum, thrived as a vital military and commercial hub. The museum, an annex of the Romano-Germanic Central Museum, is housed in a former railway repair shop. This building offers a unique juxtaposition of the industrial age against the backdrop of ancient maritime history. Inside the Museum für Antike Schifffahrt, the five “Mainzer Roman ships” take center stage. These well-preserved remains date back to the late 4th century. They were likely scuttled in the 5th century, preserving them for modern discovery. Two of the ships, a navis lusoria (patrol boat) and a navis actuaria (transport vessel), have been meticulously reconstructed in full-scale. These reconstructions reveal intricate details of their design and function. The navis lusoria, a sleek and swift vessel, was powered by 20 to 30 oarsmen and supplemented by a sail. The navis actuaria, broader and with a shallow keel, was designed for cargo and transport, also utilizing sails for propulsion. Mogontiacum wasn’t just a naval base. It was a bustling port and shipyard that served both local Rhine boatmen and traders from afar. The harbor’s activity is documented up to the mid-5th century. Beyond the full-scale ships, the Museum für Antike Schifffahrt displays various ship models at a 1:10 scale. These models showcase the diversity of both military and civilian shipbuilding in Roman times. Inscriptions, tombstones, and letters further illuminate the history of shipbuilding and the daily life aboard Roman warships and merchant vessels. Visitors can even observe restorers and model makers at work in the museum’s workshops. These workshops offer a direct view into the meticulous processes of preserving and recreating these ancient vessels. The Museum für Antike Schifffahrt is a captivating journey through maritime history. It brings the Roman Rhine fleet back to life.