Cologne's Cultural Landmarks: Church, Library, And More

In 2017, during an excavation for a new Protestant church community centre in Cologne, Germany, archaeologists discovered the remains of a Roman building. The building, which dates back to 150-200 AD, is thought to be the oldest library in Germany. The library is located in the middle of the ancient city, in the marketplace or forum, and is estimated to have held 20,000 scrolls. The identification of the library was made based on the presence of niches in the walls, which were determined to be too small to hold statues and were instead likely used to store scrolls. The library will be integrated into the new church building, with plans to make the remains viewable to the public.

Cologne's Roman library is Germany's oldest

Cologne, Germany, is a city with a rich history, founded as a Roman colony at the beginning of the first millennium. In 2017, during the construction of a new parish building for a Protestant church, archaeologists uncovered the remains of what is believed to be the oldest library in Germany. The discovery sheds light on the cultural level of Roman-German urban centres and the extent of Romanisation in ancient Cologne.

The library, located in the heart of the ancient city, is estimated to date back to 150-200 AD. It was situated in the marketplace or forum, which was typical of Roman cities. The building was constructed of strong materials and is estimated to have held approximately 20,000 scrolls. The identification of the library was made possible by the presence of niches in the walls, which were determined to be unique to libraries and used to store scrolls.

The niches, measuring 80cm by 50cm, were too small to hold statues and were identified as compartments for scrolls. This discovery, along with the building's location and size, led archaeologists to conclude that it was a public library. Dirk Schmitz, the head of the Cologne archaeological monument authority, stated that the niches were "very particular to libraries". He also noted that the discovery of the library in Cologne could indicate the presence of more unexcavated Roman libraries in other towns.

The library in Cologne is significant as it may be one of the oldest ever built in Germany and provides valuable insights into the cultural life of Roman-German provinces. The local authorities recognised the importance of the site and made arrangements to preserve and display the remains. The walls and niches will be integrated into the design of the Protestant Church community centre, allowing visitors to view them.

The discovery of the Roman library in Cologne highlights the city's long history and the influence of Roman culture in the region. The library is a testament to the Romans' respect for knowledge and their tradition of establishing public libraries. The preservation and accessibility of the site ensure that it continues to contribute to our understanding of ancient history and cultural exchange.

The library was built between 150 and 200 CE

The Roman library in Cologne, Germany, was built between 150 and 200 CE. It is the oldest library in Germany and perhaps the oldest in the north-west Roman provinces. It was discovered in 2017 during the construction of a new parish building for the Protestant church.

The library is located in the heart of ancient Cologne, in the city's forum or marketplace. It was built of strong materials and is estimated to have held 20,000 scrolls. The building featured niches in the walls, measuring 80cm by 50cm, which archaeologists believe were used to store scrolls. These niches were identified as being similar to those found in the Library of Celsus in Ephesus, Turkey, a 2nd-century Roman building.

The library in Cologne was likely a public library, given its central location. Dirk Schmitz, the head of the Cologne archaeological monument authority, stated that it was probably open to the entire city, rather than being a private collection. He suggested that locals could freely peruse the collection, using ladders to reach higher shelves.

The building is estimated to have measured around 66 by 30 feet and stood two stories tall. It featured an annex that may have housed a statue of Minerva, the Roman goddess of wisdom and warfare. This annex was likely added after the initial construction.

The preservation of the walls and niches will be viewable by the public in the cellar of the Protestant church community centre, which is currently under construction.

It held an estimated 20,000 scrolls

In 2017, an archaeological investigation in Cologne, Germany, uncovered the remains of a Roman library that once held an estimated 20,000 scrolls. The library, which dates back to around 150–200 A.D., was discovered during an excavation of a Protestant church community centre construction site.

The rectangular building, located in the heart of the city, measures 30 by 66 feet with an annex on one side measuring 26 by 11 feet. Its concrete foundations are nearly 6 feet wide and visible to a depth of at least 11 feet, suggesting the building was at least two stories tall.

The library was identified by the presence of regularly spaced niches in the walls, which were approximately 31 inches by 20 inches (80 by 50 centimetres). These niches were too shallow to display statues, which are commonly found in Roman architecture. Instead, they were likely used as cupboards for scrolls, with shelving inserted to create built-in bookcases.

Dirk Schmitz, an archaeologist at the Roman-Germanic Museum in Cologne, estimated that the building could have housed about 20,000 scrolls. This discovery is significant as most known Roman libraries have been found in the Mediterranean region. The form and layout of the Cologne library are similar to the slightly larger Library of Celsus in Ephesus, Turkey, built around 117 A.D.

The ancient library in Cologne is believed to have been a public library due to its central location and the use of strong materials in its construction. It was likely a lively environment, with public readings and discussions, in contrast to the quiet atmosphere of modern libraries.

The library was identified by its wall niches

In 2017, during an excavation for a community centre on the grounds of a Protestant parish church in Cologne, Germany, workers made a remarkable discovery. They had stumbled upon the walls of a large Roman structure, but its purpose was initially unclear. Experts from the Roman-Germanic Museum of Cologne determined that the walls dated to the Roman period, and further investigations revealed that the structure was, in fact, a library—the oldest yet found in Germany.

The identification of the library was made possible by the presence of distinctive wall niches. These niches, measuring approximately 31 by 20 inches or 80 by 50 centimetres, were too small to hold statues. Instead, they were identified as parchment niches, or cupboards, used to store precious scrolls. Dirk Schmitz, an archaeologist and the head of the Cologne archaeological monument authority, drew parallels with the Library of Celsus in Ephesus, where similar niches were used to house ancient scrolls.

The niches in the Cologne library's walls were all that remained of the wooden cupboards that once stored an extensive collection of handwritten scrolls. The library, built between 150 and 200 CE, is estimated to have held around 20,000 scrolls. This discovery sheds light on the cultural level and the extent of Romanisation in ancient Cologne.

The identification of the library based on its wall niches was crucial, as without them, the structure may have been mistaken for a public assembly hall. The niches, along with the walls, will be preserved and integrated into the new Protestant Church community centre, where they will be viewable by the public. This discovery not only enriches our understanding of ancient libraries but also highlights the importance of preserving and accessing knowledge, a legacy that continues in modern libraries today.

The library will be open to the public

The library will be integrated into the new building, with the public able to view the remains in the cellar or basement. Visitors will be able to see the niches and walls up close, offering a unique insight into the history of Roman libraries and the development of culture in ancient Cologne.

The niches in the walls, measuring around 30 inches by 20 inches, were too small to hold statues and were identified as cupboards built to store ancient scrolls. It is estimated that the library may have held up to 20,000 scrolls, making it a significant collection. The building itself was large, measuring about 65 feet by 30 feet, and was possibly two stories tall.

The library was located in the ancient forum or marketplace of Cologne, known as Colonia in Roman times. This central location led archaeologists to believe that it was open to the public, rather than being a private collection. The public nature of the library also reflects the Roman respect for knowledge and culture, with Roman Emperors often endowing urban centres with public libraries.

The remains of the library will be carefully preserved and integrated into the new community centre, ensuring that the public can continue to access and learn from this piece of history.

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