Mainz Central Station May Uncover Its Hidden Roman Theater Legacy

A forgotten relic of the Roman Empire lies beneath a bustling German hub. Now, activists want to bring this 2,000-year-old theater back into the spotlight—and onto the tourist map.

, and Administrator

2025 November 23 . 1:15 PM

1 min read

At the bottom, we see the stairs. On the right side, we see the grass and the trees. In the middle,... — At the bottom, we see the stairs. On the right side, we see the grass and the trees. In the middle, we see a commemorative plaque. Beside that, we see the railing. Behind that, we see the graves. There are trees and the buildings in the background.

Mainz Central Station May Uncover Its Hidden Roman Theater Legacy

Mainz Central Station could soon transform into a major tourist attraction by embracing its ancient Roman heritage. Plans are underway to turn the station into an open-air archaeological museum, showcasing the remains of a vast Roman theatre buried beneath it. The project aims to create a 'Roman Trail' linking the station with the historic Drusus Stone on the city’s citadel.

The idea stems from a 1993 discovery when excavations uncovered the largest Roman theatre north of the Alps beneath the station. Despite its renaming to 'Roman Theater' in 2006, the station still lacks visible ties to its ancient legacy. Now, the 'Save the Roman Heritage' group is pushing for a redesign that would highlight this hidden history.

The proposed changes would connect the station to the Drusus Stone, creating a continuous historical route through the city. By integrating Roman artefacts and visual markers, the project could draw both tourists and locals to explore Mainz’s rich past. The plan now awaits further support and funding to move forward.