Gallo-Roman Tienen: Bathhouse of a Gallo-Roman Villa – Mellenberg

In Roman times, Tienen was much more than a mere vicus. The town centre boasted a Roman bathhouse, while a Roman villa stood proudly on the western edge, nestled in a landscape of woods, fields, and farmland. Kilns fired endlessly for glass, ceramics, bronze, and iron. Thanks to countless archaeological finds, we know that Tienen was a true hub of craftsmanship.

Tienen’s Roman name may have been lost to history, but its history refuses to remain buried. Archaeologists continue to unearth new finds to this day, and thanks to VIA VIA, you can experience them in an interactive and immersive way like never before.

Bathhouse of a Gallo-Roman Villa – Mellenberg

Just one and a half kilometres from the station lies a hidden gem: the Gallo-Roman villa of Mellenberg. This archaeological site comes to life thanks to a 3D scene: you can scan a QR code on-site and virtually step inside the villa’s private bathhouse. Through an immersive fly-through video, you can experience step-by-step the construction of the bathhouse and discover how the Romans heated their rooms using clever underground and wall heating systems.

In the surrounding grassland, a striking landscape beacon has been placed as an artistic reference to the Roman heating system. The surrounding benches serve as an orientation platform, showing the direction and distance to other archaeological sites in the region. This way, Mellenberg becomes more than just an excavation site—it becomes a gateway to the past and to the broader historical context of the region.

Exploring Gallo-Roman Tienen by Bike

Besides Mellenberg, there are many more spots to explore. Want to make sure you don’t miss a single hotspot in Gallo-Roman Tienen? Hop on your bike and follow the themed route! Along the way, you can also visit the Gallo-Roman tumuli of Grimde, foundations of Roman houses, traces of a Roman craft zone, a public bathhouse, a Mithras temple, and various other Roman structures!

Tienen is ready to reveal all its Gallo-Roman secrets.

Are you ready to discover them?

“The setting autumn sun glows warmly at our backs, fields and farmlands stretch all around us. Someone places an offering in a pit for the goddess Fortuna. ‘I’d much rather try my luck with Mercury,’ sighs Father. We could certainly use a helping hand from the god of trade. Lost in thought, we pass a cemetery. Flames lick at the twilight. The scent of cremation mingles with the earthy aroma from countless pottery kilns. A little later, we reach three tumuli, looming like giant guardians beside the road. ‘One day, they’ll dig up all those bones and grave goods again,’ my sister says. ‘Very carefully, with brushes made of horsehair.’ I love Julia dearly. Yet sometimes, her words make the hair stand on end.” – Marcus Iulus Viator