Here, bold thinkers and historically interested strategists are called upon. The Germans are already at the gates. All supply routes are cut off. Tense, the legionaries venture into the guardhouse of their camp Aliso. They are the last Romans holding the position in the fort. Now they are to abandon their base on the Lippe to turn the tide with a trick. The escape plan is prepared to avert a triumph for the Germans.
But the escape plan is hidden. Time is pressing. The escape room occupants have 60 minutes available. Somewhere in the hall-like timbered house, immediately between blue and white shields, filled storage shelves, and rustic sleeping places. Where could it be? Sweat beads trickle down from the forehead. The amateur historians try to solve the countless intertwined puzzles, search, and riddle tasks in the first escape room of its kind in Europe: How is the code made up of characters written on the papyrus scroll? What measurement must be taken with the historical ruler to obtain the crucial information? In the reconstructed guardhouse, time passes unusually quickly. The gaze drifts to the clock. 30 game minutes remain.
A symbol leads to a rotating combination and finally to the keyhole. Suddenly, one participant notices the crucial detail at the entrance: The keyhole belongs to a historical lock that archaeologists have specially reconstructed for the new attraction of the LWL-Roman Museum in Haltern. Here, a special technique is required that was already used 2000 years ago. "Push, turn, pry. That should work." Klock. The door springs open. Cheers follow. The euphoria is great. The lock picker is quickly appointed as the expert for logic puzzles, another as the quick hint seeker. Everyone contributes their strengths to the group. The escape room works as it should. It usually unites teams, strengthens friendships, and work relationships.
Here in Haltern, individual stations address customs and traditions from the past. Some test language skills. Others challenge combinatorial skills. The players learn incidentally that the guardhouse at today's Roman construction site used to be a sleeping place, storage facility, personal control center, and goods testing station all in one. Then comes the moment when all knowledge about deities and realms of power is exhausted... What now? The all-knowing narrator steps in – a voice from offstage. He helps through invisible speakers: "The legionaries looked around more closely and discovered that they had chosen the wrong offering." Lucky them. With this information, the escape plan comes back within reach.
The conclusion of the legionaries at the end of the time travel is positive despite minor hurdles in the course of the game: The escape room combines historical with playful elements. The team of Adventurebox Münster, as the operator of the three to six person game, has come up with many innovative ideas to bring the new attraction on the outdoor grounds of the Roman Museum to life. Only a walk on the reconstructed protective wall and a visit to the permanent and changing exhibition remain to complete the educational day.
www.lwl-roemermuseum-haltern.de
More excursion tips in the area
On a day trip to Haltern, a detour to the Haltern reservoir is worthwhile, around which a ten-kilometer circular path leads. Here, hikers can enjoy beautiful views before crossing the water with a passenger ship. Alternatively, for families, the Kettler Hof amusement park is worth seeing. The wave slide, petting zoo, and forest playground delight children and adults alike.
In the neighboring town of Lüdinghausen, culture fans continue their time travel with a visit to Vischering Castle. In the interactive permanent exhibition, they accompany the ancestors of the Droste family to Vischering on their path to becoming one of the most successful landed noble families in the Münsterland. The exhibition also extensively addresses the castles and palaces of the region.
