Guided tours for schools

History comes alive …   

… Is the motto of the educational programme of the museum.

It includes guided tours, museum talks and adventurous activities. It is suitable for pupils of all levels of education.The contents and the didactical intentions are in accordance with the curriculum of the Ministry of Education of Lower Saxony for the subject history. All our employees offer expert information and ensure that every group finds its own individual approach to the topic »Varus Battle« as desired - informative, eventful and playful.

1. Kalkriese … the complete tour

This guided tour provides an overview of the Varus Battle and of the archaeological research in Kalkriese. It includes a historical introduction, a visit to the exhibition, and the ascent of the tower as well as an explanation of the surrounding landscape. On request, the topic »history of reception« can be chosen as a focal point.

Grade  5 – 13 / Age 9 – 19

Duration 90 minutes

Fee: 4.00 € per pupil

2. Kalkriese: On Roman and Germanic tracks  

On the basis of research, the equipment, armament, techniques and battle strategies of the Roman and Germanic forces are presented. With hands-on experience, pupils learn the military strengths and weaknesses of both sides and explore the strategic meaning of the rampart construction. A visit to the exhibition completes the guided tour.  
Grade  4 – 7 / Age 9 – 13
Duration 90 minutes
Fees: 4.00 € per pupil   
 

3. Archaeology for children  

Using the example of our excavations, the work of an archaeological team is presented. Then the children conduct their »own little excavation« step by step.
Grade  1 – 4 / Age 6 – 11

Duration 90 minutes
Fees: 4.00 € per pupil  

4. Not only battles and wars 

The life of Roman and Germanic people 2000 years ago
The life and daily routine of Roman and Germanic people is brought into focus. How did they live? What did they wear? What did they play? – These are the questions that we will answer together. Taking part and »hands-on« are particularly encouraged.
Grade  1 – 13 / Age 6 – 19
Duration 90 minutes
Fees: 4.00 € per pupil   
 

5. Story telling – experience history  

A story and a mysterious »treasure chest« accompany the children on a journey to the past. Together with Sigurd and Laeticia, they witness how Roman and Germanic people lived 2000 years ago and how the Varus Battle came to pass.
Grade  1 – 6 / Age 6 – 12
Duration 90 minutes 

Fees: 4.00 € per pupil  
 

6. Cook like the Romans

»Eating and drinking keeps the body and the soul together« – this was once said by the ancient Greeks, but the Romans were no poor eaters either. After an introduction to the secrets of the Roman cuisine, we will proceed with the preparation of the food. Cooking and eating will take place at the open fireplace.
Grade  5 – 13 / Age 9 – 19
Puls – the daily cereal porridge of the Roman legionnaires – tastes better than it looks. 
Fees: 6.00 € per pupil (to try)
8.00 € per pupil (to eat one’s fill) 
Fricassee – original and deliciously prepared pork with herbs and apricots. 
Fees: 7.00 € per pupil (to try)
9.00 € per pupil (to eat one’s fill)
Duration 2 – 2 1/2  hours (both options)

7. Germanic meal at the fireplace  

The Germanic people did not go down in history as gourmets. But how come? What did Germanic people eat 2000 years ago? What kind of food was available and how was it prepared? Cooking and eating will take place at the open fireplace.
Grade  5 – 13 / Age 9 – 19
Spelt soup – a nutritious, creamy vegetable soup with corn
Fees: 6.00 € per pupil (to try)
8.00 € per pupil (to eat one’s fill) 

Millet gruel - even Germanic people liked something sweet like this millet gruel with honey and fruit.
Fees: 6.00 € per pupil (to try)
8.00 € per pupil (to eat one’s fill)  
Duration 2 – 2 1/2 hours (both options) 

8. Lucky charms from Kalkriese  

Luck does not grow on trees - not even 2000 years ago. Germanic people had lucky charms made of horn. In the course of this programme, each pupil will learn to work with horn and make his or her own lucky charm with handcraft techniques from the ancient world.
Grade  5 – 13 / Age 9 – 19

Duration 90 minutes
Fees: 5.00 € per pupil  

9. A fiery experience

2000 years ago, no lighters or matches existed. However, fire was still needed. Where did it come from? A hands-on experiment.

Grade  5 – 13 / Age 9 – 19

Duration 90 minutes
Fees: 5.00 € per pupil   

10. Moving on Roman tracks

The educational programmes »On Roman and Germanic tracks« and »Archaeology for Children« may be combined with a moving experience. Tying in with the acquired knowledge on the historic event, young people experience in an adventurous ropes course the significance of individual human strength and weaknesses. Aren’t strength, stamina, determination and courage as important today as they were in antiquity?
Conducted by specially trained personal and instructed age appropriate pupils will experience in a playful manner in the low rope area their own ability. Older children may for example deepen their body control, self esteem and safety as a basis for sociability and social competence. For younger children the adventure of movement takes on the importance of teamwork experienced whilst copying excavation work. Moving on Roman tracks also means: running, balancing, jumping, brachiating, sliding, swinging, test your strength and enjoying life.

Grade  1 – 4 or 5 – 7

Duration 90 minutes educational programme plus 60 minutes ropes course.
Fees: 8.00 € per pupil  

11. The pathfinder  – A scouting game for children  

Without a guide. The scouting game is suitable as an addition or to consolidate another programme. Alone or in small groups, the children explore the park. How did Germanic forces succeed in defeating the Romans? – This is the main question.

Grade  4 – 6 / Age 9 – 13

Duration approximately 45 – 60 minutes
Fees: 1.00 € per kit, 0.75 € per kit (for 20 or more kits)   

12. COLOSSAL Art Fact Fiction  

2000 years Varus Battle – opportunity for a fascinating shift of focus: 20 artists from 13 nations bestow a surprising art-event on the Osnabrück region starting April 25th 2009. Under the direction of internationally renowned exhibition curator Jan Hoets artist’s installations are on show in the Museum’s Park Kalkriese, on beautifully settled farms in the vicinity and in the city of Osnabrück which may all be explored by bike, car or bus.

COLOSSAL in the Museum’s Park Kalkriese: Guided Tours on the works of art in the Museum’s Park. The different artistic approaches and their relations to the respective location will be explained.
Duration approximately 2 hours
Fees: 6.00 € per pupil     

For foodies:

The restaurant VARUSSCHLACHT offers school classes, children and youth groups appropriate meals for their excursions on Roman and Germanic tracks: special menus for children or a snack following Roman recipes help to relieve hunger in the Botanicum.

For reservation and information >> phone: +49 5468 9396-0

The entrance fee for our exhibition of the Varus Battlee is included in the price for the guided tour.
Guided tours can only be carried out by museum personnel.
The accompanying adults are responsibility for the children during the visit.