Rediscovering Roman History in Neuwied: A Journey Back in Time to Ancient Rome's Legacy
In the picturesque town of Heddesdorf, nestled within the Neuwied basin of Germany, a new information banner has been unveiled, shedding light on the area's rich Roman heritage.
The banner, installed on the old building of the Geschwister-School, was the brainchild of Conrad Lunar, a local resident who has been dedicated to highlighting his hometown's Roman past since 2018. Lunar and city council member Christian Scheidgen installed the banner themselves, with the assistance of the "Generaldirektion Kulturelles Erbe Rheinland-Pfalz" (GDKE).
The new banner is part of the "Drachenkopfweg" - a 42-kilometer route connecting various sites of Roman heritage in the Neuwied basin. It provides information about the existence of Heddesdorf Castle and a associated bath that stood there almost 2000 years ago.
The Romans were active in Heddesdorf before they came to nearby Niederbieber and Engers. The broader Neuwied region was near the Roman border lands, with archaeological findings indicating Roman activity, forts, and settlements nearby on the Rhine frontier historically. However, specific connections to Roman remains or heritage at Heddesdorf Castle or immediate related sites in Heddesdorf and Neuwied are not well documented.
The Rotary Club Neuwied-Andernach provided significant sponsorship for the creation of the new banner. City council member Christian Scheidgen and deputy mayor Ralf Seemann were also present at the event, with Seemann considering the project a prime example of a good idea being implemented communally.
The current Geschwister-Scholl Street, once called Roman Street, is very likely the oldest street in the city. Celia Zovak, deputy headmaster of the Geschwister-School, is among those celebrating the increased visibility of the Roman heritage in Heddesdorf.
Lunar, who dressed up as a Roman soldier for events related to the Roman heritage in his hometown, was joined by other community members in celebrating the new banner. Michael Börsch and Bernhard Reuther from the Rotary Club Neuwied-Andernach were also present at the event. Neuwied's deputy mayor Ralf Seemann covered the frame for the banner.
For those interested in more detailed archaeological or heritage information, local historical records or specialized regional heritage publications in Rhineland-Palatinate would be the best sources to consult. This new banner is a testament to the ongoing efforts to preserve and showcase the Roman heritage in Heddesdorf and the Neuwied region.
- The "Generaldirektion Kulturelles Erbe Rheinland-Pfalz" (GDKE) was involved in the installation of the banner that provides information about the home-and-garden lifestyle of the Romans in Heddesdorf.
- The Roman lifestyle, especially in regard to their home-and-garden culture, is celebrated in Heddesdorf, as evidenced by the new information banner installed on the old building of the Geschwister-School.
