Xanten

Xanten is a unique city with roots reaching back to the Roman Empire. It is considered one of Germany's oldest cities and is the only one in the country where the Roman city was not completely built over in subsequent centuries, allowing its unique archaeological heritage to be preserved.

Foundation and Early Records

The history of Xanten begins in the second half of the 1st century BC. Initially, the Roman military camp Castra Vetera was established here, strategically located on the banks of the Rhine to monitor the Germanic tribes. A pivotal moment in the city's history occurred in 98 AD (or shortly thereafter) when Emperor Trajan granted the settlement colony status, naming it Colonia Ulpia Traiana. It was one of the most important Roman cities in present-day Germany, surpassed in significance only by Cologne and Trier.

Key Factors of Development

The development of Xanten was shaped by several important factors:

• Geographical Location: The city was situated directly on the Rhine, which served as the natural border of the Roman Empire (the Limes) and a vital transport artery for trade and troop movements.
• Military Significance: The presence of legions ensured security and stimulated the influx of artisans and merchants serving the army.
• Religious Center: During the late Roman and early medieval periods, the city gained new significance due to the legend of Saint Victor and his companions who were executed here. Their burial site (Latin: ad Sanctos — "at the saints") eventually gave the city its modern name—Xanten.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

As a Roman colony, Xanten possessed all the hallmarks of high ancient culture: grand temples, an amphitheater, baths, and city walls with gates were constructed here. The economy flourished thanks to advanced craftsmanship (pottery and metal production) and trade along the Rhine.

In the Middle Ages, the economic focus shifted toward religious pilgrimage to the relics of Saint Victor, which led to the construction of the famous cathedral and reinforced the city's status as a spiritual center for the region.

Key Milestones in Xanten's History

The city's history spans over two millennia, evolving from a Roman military outpost to a modern tourist center.

• C. 12 BC — The Roman general Drusus founds the military camp Castra Vetera on the Fürstenberg hill, marking the beginning of the Roman presence in the region.
• 98 AD — Emperor Trajan grants the civilian settlement the status of a colony and the name Colonia Ulpia Traiana, turning it into one of the most important cities in the province of Germania Inferior.
• 275 AD — Frankish tribes capture and destroy the Roman colony, after which the territory falls into decline for a long period.
• 4th Century — According to church tradition, the martyrdom of the legionnaire Victor and his companions takes place at the site of the future city.
• 752 AD — A monastery (Stift) is founded over the presumed grave of Saint Victor, around which a medieval settlement begins to form.
• 1228 AD — Archbishop Heinrich I von Müllenark of Cologne officially grants Xanten town rights.
• 1263 AD — Friedrich von Hochstaden lays the foundation stone for the Gothic St. Victor's Cathedral, a construction project that would last nearly three centuries.
• 1444 AD — As a result of a conflict known as the Soest Feud (Soester Fehde), the city passes from the authority of the Archbishopric of Cologne to the Dukes of Cleves.
• 1614 AD — The Treaty of Xanten is signed, serving as a major diplomatic event in the dispute over the Cleves inheritance.
• 1794 AD — French revolutionary troops occupy the city, leading to significant social changes and the secularization of church properties.
• 1815 AD — Following the decisions of the Congress of Vienna, Xanten becomes part of Prussia.
• February 1945 — During World War II, Allied air raids almost completely destroy the city's historical center and the cathedral.
• 1977 AD — The Xanten Archaeological Park (APX) opens, becoming Germany's largest open-air museum on the site of Roman excavations.

Stages of Development and Transformation

The history of Xanten is an example of how a city changed its structure and economic foundation several times to adapt to new conditions. Below are the key stages that defined the city's modern character and status.

• Establishment of Colonia Ulpia Traiana (2nd century AD)
  The transformation of a military camp into a large civilian city with a regular layout ("grid plan"), a water supply system, a forum, and an amphitheater. This established the settlement's status as the administrative and commercial center of the province, setting high standards for ancient urbanism.

• Shift of the Center to "Ad Sanctos" (5th–8th centuries)
  After the decline of the Roman colony, the center of life moved to the cemetery area (St. Victor's burial site). This urban planning decision meant that medieval Xanten grew alongside the Roman city rather than on top of its ruins, which subsequently allowed the ancient cultural layers to remain untouched.

• Granting of Town Rights and Fortification (1228)
  Attaining town status spurred the construction of powerful defensive walls and towers (such as the Klever Tor). This ensured the safety of merchants and artisans, contributing to an economic boom and turning Xanten into an important trading point on the Rhine.

• The Era of Cathedral Construction (1263–1544)
  The construction of the Gothic St. Victor's Cathedral became the primary cultural and architectural focus. The "Immunity" formed around the cathedral—a special district for canons that was essentially a "city within a city" with its own rules and an economy based on pilgrims and church revenues.

• Loss of Access to the Rhine (Late Middle Ages)
  The natural shifting of the Rhine's course, which moved away from the city walls, was a major economic blow. The city lost its significance as a major trading port, leading to stagnation. However, it was this decline that "preserved" the city's historical appearance, saving it from large-scale industrial redevelopment in the 19th century.

• Secularization (Early 19th Century)
  The arrival of the French and the subsequent transfer of lands to Prussia ended centuries of church rule. The dissolution of the monastic chapter changed the social structure: the city ceased to depend on the clergy and began to develop as a secular administrative unit.

• Creation of the Archaeological Park (1977)
  The decision not to build residential quarters over the site of the former Roman colony, but to create an open-air museum (APX), was a crucial urban planning step in the 20th century. This turned Xanten into a unique European tourist destination, making tourism the backbone of the city's modern economy.

Architectural Character: Two Cities in One

The urban planning of Xanten is unique due to a phenomenon rare in Europe: the ancient Roman city and the medieval settlement did not overlap, but developed side-by-side. This allowed the structure of both centers to be preserved. Modern Xanten is a harmonious blend of reconstructed antiquity in the Archaeological Park and the cozy atmosphere of a medieval town centered around the cathedral.

Key Architectural Eras and Styles

The city's architectural landscape is clearly divided into historical periods, each leaving behind iconic monuments.

• Roman Antiquity (1st–4th centuries)
  Although the original structures were destroyed or repurposed for building materials during the Middle Ages, their grandeur has been revived in the Archaeological Park (APX). Here, classical Roman architecture is showcased with its characteristic rigor, order system, and monumentality.
  Iconic sites (reconstructions): The Amphitheater, the Harbor Temple, city walls with gates, and the Roman baths.
• Romanesque and Gothic (12th–16th centuries)
  This is the dominant style of the historical center (the "Old Town"). The main landmark is St. Victor's Cathedral. Its western facade retains the austere features of the Romanesque style, while the main nave and choir are magnificent examples of High Gothic, featuring large stained-glass windows and pointed arches.
  Iconic sites: St. Victor's Cathedral, the Gothic House (Gotisches Haus), and the Klever Tor gate.
• Renaissance and Baroque (16th–18th centuries)
  After the Rhine changed its course and the economy slowed down, large-scale construction ceased. Nevertheless, the city has preserved residential houses and church buildings from this period, characterized by more elegant decoration and symmetry.
  Iconic sites: The Evangelical Church on the Market Square (featuring Baroque elements) and the residential buildings around the market.
• Modern Architecture and Museum Modernism (20th–21st centuries)
  The town's restoration after World War II was carried out with respect for the historical plan. A special place is held by modern museum architecture, which integrates ruins into new structures.
  Iconic sites: The LVR-RömerMuseum building — a bold steel and glass project that mirrors the dimensions of the Roman baths that stood on this site 2,000 years ago.

Urban Development

The development of Xanten followed two distinct paths:

• Roman Layout (Hippodamian Grid): Ancient Colonia Ulpia Traiana was built according to a strict plan: straight streets intersecting at right angles, with clear zoning for public, residential, and artisanal quarters. This structure can be seen today in the Archaeological Park.
• Medieval Radial-Ring Structure: The medieval town formed organically around the monastery and cathedral (the Immunitas territory). Streets here are winding, and the town was enclosed in a ring of defensive walls. The center of gravity became the cathedral and its market square, rather than an administrative plaza (like the Roman forum).

Prominent Personalities of Xanten

The history of Xanten is inextricably linked with the names of Roman emperors, Christian saints, and even legendary epic heroes. These individuals played a key role in the city's development as a religious and cultural center.

• Marcus Ulpius Traianus (53–117 AD)
  Roman Emperor
  Although Trajan was not born here, he is the city's "godfather." It was he who, around 100 AD, granted the settlement the status of a colony (the highest status for a Roman city outside Italy) and gave it his name—Colonia Ulpia Traiana. This decision transformed a military camp into a flourishing metropolis of antiquity.

• Saint Victor of Xanten (died c. 4th century)
  Roman Legionnaire, Christian Martyr
  According to tradition, Victor was a soldier of the Theban Legion executed for refusing to worship pagan gods. His burial site became a place of pilgrimage, around which the medieval town grew. The name "Xanten" itself comes from the Latin ad Sanctos ("at the saints"), emphasizing his role in the city's history.

• Siegfried (Mythological Character)
  Hero of the epic "Nibelungenlied"
  The legendary dragon slayer is perhaps the most famous "native" of the city in world culture. The epic states that Siegfried was born in Xanten on the Lower Rhine. Although a literary character, his image is deeply embedded in the city's identity: there is a Siegfried Museum and various themed routes.

• Norbert of Xanten (c. 1080–1134 AD)
  Catholic Saint, Archbishop, Order Founder
  Born into a noble family in Xanten, he served as a canon at St. Victor's Cathedral. Following a spiritual awakening, he founded the Premonstratensian Order—one of Europe's most important Catholic monastic orders. He later became the Archbishop of Magdeburg.

• Cornelius de Pauw (1739–1799)
  Philosopher, Geographer, and Diplomat of the Enlightenment
  The uncle of the famous anarchist Anacharsis Cloots, de Pauw was a renowned intellectual of his time and served as a reader and advisor to the Prussian King Frederick the Great. He spent the final years of his life in Xanten, where he is buried. Napoleon Bonaparte, who visited the city, ordered an obelisk to be erected in his honor.

• Georg Bleibtreu (1828–1892)
  Battle Painter
  A Xanten native who became one of Germany's most famous 19th-century painters of military scenes. His works, which celebrated the Prussian army and events of the Franco-Prussian War, brought him widespread fame within the German Empire.