Roman Villa Rustica Haselburg

The Haselburg was built relatively late in the Roman era, during the reign of Emperor Hadrian (117–138 AD). Its construction is closely linked to the relocation of the Odenwald Limes around 159 AD, which enabled civilian settlement of the previously militarily used area. Around 130 AD, the Villa Rustica Haselburg developed as part of numerous estates in the Civitas Auderiensium, whose main town was Dieburg. Archaeological finds, especially pottery, confirm this dating. The complex comprised an almost square courtyard surrounded by a strong wall. Within this enclosure were an unusually large main or manor house, an economic wing, an elaborate bathhouse, and a sanctuary to Jupiter. The main building was rebuilt and expanded several times, eventually featuring an inner courtyard with a colonnade. The bathhouse was exceptionally large and well-equipped for its time, including cold, lukewarm, and hot baths, as well as a latrine. A Jupiter sanctuary with a Jupiter Giant Column over ten meters high attests to the importance of the property. In addition to the main complex, there were other outbuildings for servants, stables, and storage. Earlier excavations also uncovered prehistoric finds, including a crouched burial from the Late Neolithic (approx. 2865-2605 BC) and early Celtic burial mounds (4th/3rd century BC), which prove even older settlement.

The Roman Villa Rustica Haselburg is located near Hummetroth in the Odenwald, Hesse, Germany, at an elevation of approximately 306 meters above sea level.

The Villa Rustica Haselburg is now an accessible open-air museum that can be visited. Visitors can explore the partially reconstructed foundations of the Roman buildings and get an idea of life on a Roman estate. North of the economic wing, a herb garden with documented Roman kitchen herbs is presented.

• Nauses Castle (Castle), approx. 3.4 km away
• Höchst Monastery (Sacred building), approx. 4.6 km away
• Schnellerts Ruin (Brensbach) (Ruin), approx. 5.1 km away
• Otzberg Fortress (Hering) (Castle), approx. 5.7 km away