European Archaeological Park of Bliesbruck-Reinheim


The European Archaeological Park at Bliesbruck-Reinheim, in the German municipality of Gersheim and the French municipality of Bliesbruck, is a cross-border project which combines excavations and reconstructions of Celtic and Roman finds with exhibition and educational facilities. It was created in 1989 as a result of the archaeological work being done on both sides of the Franco-German border. Together with archaeological evidence from the Mesolithic Period, the Bronze Age, and the period of the Germanic migrations, the Celtic and Roman finds from the Iron Age bear witness to a history of continuous settlement in the Blies Valley that spans a period of 10,000 years.

Management and funding

This European Archaeological Park is jointly operated by the conseil général of the French Departments of France of Moselle and the German district of Saarpfalz. The project receives additional funding from the French Ministry of Culture and Communication, the German state of Saarland, and the municipality of Gersheim. The founder of the European Archaeological Park was the late Jean Schaub, an entrepreneur who used private assets to buy up the first tracts of land belonging to the park, thus protecting them from development and saving the relics of the Roman past for posterity.

Finds and excavations

On the German side there is a small museum which exhibits a selection of artefacts and replicas representing the whole range of periods from which finds have been made. In addition, there is a very impressive walk-in reconstruction of the Tomb of the Celtic Princess, including the most valuable funerary artefacts. In the area to the west there are reconstructions of a few Celtic-style dwellings. From a viewing mound it is easy to make out the partially reconstructed foundations of the large Roman villa, while the main gatehouse and one of the outbuildings of the villa have been completely reconstructed. Most of the original artefacts are now in the Museum für Vor- und Frühgeschichte in Saarbrücken.
On the French side are the partially reconstructed thermal baths of the Gallo-Roman town, now sheltered by a roof and accompanied by helpful information plaques. The shop-lined town street is easily recognizable from its exposed foundations and cellars, as well as a portion of the street, with clear information displayed in French, German and English. There are reconstructions of a grist mill and baking oven, used for educational purposes. A recent addition is a garden containing plants that were typically considered useful at the time.
The entire park lies in the picturesque Blies Valley and provides a beautiful setting for walks.

Re-enactment

In collaboration with the experts and the park authorities, a group of citizens calling themselves "Taranis" has been endeavouring since 2002 to recreate the Celtic way of life with its accoutrements from the early La Tène Period. They feature demonstrations of ancient crafts ranging from tablet weaving to the forging of Celtic utilitarian objects. Basing their activity on scientific research, the members then provide a graphic presentation of these crafts and ways of life. Every year at the park, this group offers a re-enactment of its knowledge of Celtic life and receives invitations to participate in events at other venues as well.

The Archaeological Park in numbers

The park covers an area of approximately 1200 by 600 metres. Its archaeological sites attract about 40,000 visitors per year, including 20,000 schoolchildren.

Film