Pachten Roman and Celtic Festival

Saarbrücken Antiquity

The town of Dillingen/Saar in the Saarlouis district is primarily known today for its steel industry – but the district of Pachten reaches far back before the industrial age. In Roman antiquity, the vicus Contiomagus was located here, an important trading center at the crossroads of major Roman roads. Finds from the past 150 years have made Pachten one of the most significant archaeological sites in Saarland.

The Pachten Roman Museum presents this history all year round. Every two years, however, it becomes a spectacle: The Pachten Roman and Celtic Festival transforms the museum grounds into a living tableau of antiquity.

Gladiators, Legionaries, Crafts

The program consistently focuses on living archaeology – meaning not just display cases, but hands-on and experiential formats. The highlights include:

• Gladiator Fights – authentic demonstrations with historically accurate weaponry (Murmillo, Retiarius, Thraex)
• Roman Legionaries – camp setup, march demonstrations, weapon presentations
• Celtic Camp – the counterpart to the Romans, with its own distinct staging
• Ancient Crafts – pottery, blacksmithing, jewelry making, weaving
• Roman Table – food and drinks according to ancient recipes

Program for Families

What makes the festival special is its hands-on character for children. A dedicated archaeology excavation site is set up: children can search for prepared pottery shards in the sand with brushes and shovels – playfully learning how archaeological work functions. Additionally, there are:

• Mosaic Art to create yourself
• Roman Clothing and Hairstyles to try on
• Theater Masks to paint
• Flatbreads to roast over an open fire

Evening Program with Live Music

On Friday and Saturday evenings, the campfire sites turn into atmospheric concerts: regional folk and medieval music groups accompany the event. A special atmosphere as the historical tents are bathed in torchlight and the shadows of reenactors wander through the camp.

Unique in Saarland

While medieval markets are numerous in Saarland, there is no other history festival with such a clear focus on Romans and Celts. The 5th Pachten Festival in 2026 builds on the success of its four previous editions, each attracting several thousand visitors.