The Archaeological Museum of the Cathedral is located beneath Residenzplatz. Yes, not on the square, but under it! The fact is that the cathedral's archaeological museum is not only what archaeologists discovered during the excavations, but also the excavations themselves. The entrance to this unique museum is located to the left of the main entrance to the Cathedral, around the corner.
Descending underground, you will discover an ancient Roman villa and an old Catholic cathedral. On the ruins of the Roman villa, scholars cleared sections of walls, architectural objects, a most beautiful mosaic on the floor and walls, and the remains of an old heating system. Some finds that were not part of the building - statues, dishes, household items - were restored, and they are now displayed in the showcases of the Archaeological Museum of the Cathedral.
The second part of the excavation is the foundation and sections of the stonework of the eastern towers of the 12th-century cathedral, built under the supervision of Archbishop Conrad III. The old cathedral was completely destroyed by fire in 1598, and in 1629 the current majestic Cathedral was erected in its place.
Several museum display cases introduce visitors to archaeological finds from the underground excavations and to the cathedral's treasures - antique items used for religious services and historical artifacts.
