Aalen Roman Days
Reenactment at the former largest cavalry fort north of the Alps — 14th edition at the Limesmuseum Aalen
About Aalen Roman Days
Travel to this festival
Reserva tu tren o autobús para llegar a Aalen Roman Days al mejor precio.
Sponsored link
Living History on the Limes
Aalen, in the Ostalbkreis district of the state of Baden-Württemberg, hosts the Limesmuseum on the grounds of one of the most important Roman cavalry forts north of the Alps — the garrison of Ala II Flavia milliaria, a Roman cavalry unit of around 1,000 men. Here, the city of Aalen (Culture and Press Office), together with the Limesmuseum, organizes the Roman Days every two years. The 14th edition in 2026 will take place on September 26 and 27.
The Program — Military, Crafts, Daily Life
The Roman Days bring reenactor groups from Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Great Britain, and other European countries to the museum grounds. The focus is on military demonstrations: legionary drills, formation marches, weapons presentations, siege techniques with ancient artillery and projectiles. The cavalry demonstrations are a highlight in themselves — the connection to the former cavalry fort is brought to life here with horses, Roman riders, and equipped cavalry gear.
In addition, ancient crafts are presented: glassblowers, blacksmiths, leatherworkers, textile dyers, and potters work in front of the public and explain their techniques. Gladiator fights form the theatrical pole of the program; a Roman water organ (Hydraulis), a replica of a late antique instrument, provides the musical accompaniment. For families, there are hands-on activity stations for children.
The Limesmuseum as a Stage
The Limesmuseum Aalen, a branch of the Archaeological State Museum Baden-Württemberg, documents the history of the Upper Germanic-Rhaetian Limes — a UNESCO World Heritage site — and especially that of Ala II Flavia. Numerous original finds are displayed in the museum building and on the outdoor grounds; the Roman Days utilize precisely these spaces and the historically charged outdoor area. The event is one of the most significant Roman reenactment events in Southern Germany.
Aalen and the Ostalbkreis
Aalen, with around 70,000 inhabitants, is a major district town in the Ostalbkreis and is located in eastern Baden-Württemberg between the Swabian Jura and the Franconian Forest. The city combines a Roman past (Aalen was a Roman garrison town for over 200 years) with modern industrial characteristics (optics, automotive, Carl Zeiss Vision). The Roman Days are the annually recurring showcase of the city's ancient heritage — an event that makes Aalen known far beyond the region.
Aalen Roman Days — edition 2026
Program 2026 — 14th Edition
The Limesmuseum Aalen and the Culture and Press Office of the City of Aalen are organizing the 14th Roman Days in the proven format: a two-day reenactment festival that brings to life Roman military history, daily life, and crafts of the Roman provinces between the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD. The connection to Ala II Flavia — the Roman cavalry unit once stationed here — gives the demonstrations their specific character.
Several areas will be active simultaneously on the museum grounds: a military area with formations and weapons demonstrations, a craft area with working glassblowers, blacksmiths, potters, and leatherworkers, a camp area with civilian reenactor families, and a riding arena for cavalry demonstrations. The Roman water organ (Hydraulis) will provide the acoustic atmosphere, and gladiator fights will be the theatrical highlight.
Programme Aalen Roman Days 2026
Saturday, September 26, 2026
- Opening of the 14th Roman Days by representatives of the City of Aalen and the Limesmuseum
- Legionary drills and formation marches by reenactor troops
- Cavalry demonstrations — connection to Ala II Flavia
- Gladiator fights in the arena
- Ancient crafts: glassblowers, blacksmiths, potters, leatherworkers, textile dyers
- Roman water organ (Hydraulis), Roman cuisine
Sunday, September 27, 2026
- Market and camp life, open to the public
- Repeat performances of legionary drills, cavalry demonstrations, gladiator fights
- Family program with hands-on activities for children
- Siege artillery demonstration
- Closing in the late afternoon
Detailed program and exact times will be published before the event on aalen-kultur.de and limesmuseum.de.
Highlights Aalen Roman Days 2026
- 14th edition of the Roman Days at the Limesmuseum Aalen
- Reenactor groups from all over Europe (Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Great Britain)
- Cavalry demonstrations related to Ala II Flavia milliaria
- Gladiator fights in the arena
- Ancient crafts: glassblowers, blacksmiths, potters, leatherworkers
- Roman water organ (Hydraulis) and Roman cuisine
- Site of the former largest cavalry fort north of the Alps — UNESCO World Heritage Limes
Prices Aalen Roman Days 2026
Admission prices for 2026 will be announced on aalen-kultur.de and limesmuseum.de. Approximate figures from previous years: Adults €8–€10, concessions for children/students/families, special rates for school classes.
Practical information — Aalen Roman Days
Getting There
Aalen is accessible via the B 29 and B 19 federal highways; from Stuttgart towards Aalen via A 7 / B 29. By train, IC and regional connections via Aalen Hauptbahnhof (main station); from the station to the Limesmuseum, about a 15-minute walk or by city bus.
Opening Hours
Saturday, September 26 and Sunday, September 27, 2026. Approximate times from previous years (13th Roman Days 2023): 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., last admission 4:30 p.m. Exact times for 2026 will be published on aalen-kultur.de and limesmuseum.de.
Admission
Admission prices for 2026 are yet to be announced. In previous years, typically €8–€10 for adults, with concessions for children, students, and families.
Festival-goer photos
No photos yet. Share yours!
Share your photos
Max. 5 photos, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Spotted an error or missing information?
Help us keep this listing up to date. Each suggestion is reviewed by our team before being published.
Festival-goer reviews
No rating yet — be the first!
No comments yet. Be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community.
Travel to this festival
Reserva tu tren o autobús para llegar a Aalen Roman Days al mejor precio.
Sponsored link
Where it takes place Aalen Roman Days
Limesmuseum Aalen
St.-Johann-Straße 5, 73430 Aalen