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For over four centuries, the Lower Germanic Limes marked the dividing line between the Roman province of Lower Germany and the unoccupied Germanic tribal territories. Yet, how did this roughly 400-kilometer-long river frontier along the Rhine originate and evolve? Was it an insurmountable bulwark or a fluid membrane that separated peoples, or perhaps connected them? Did cultural exchange and subtle mutual influence shape daily coexistence?

The exhibition architecture mirrors the ambivalence of this river frontier both structurally and scenographically: a space-defining, abstracted ribbon evoking the meandering course of the Rhine cuts through the gallery, dividing it into two contrasting yet visually connected spheres. However, this architectural barrier is deliberately designed to be permeable: openings, sightlines, and integrated showcase vitrines allow for a constant visual and physical interplay between "this side" and "beyond." At the heart of this spatial staging are the ancient inhabitants themselves, whose perspective on life alongside the Romans serves as the focal point of the narrative.

Over 400 high-caliber exhibits are embedded directly into the scenographic border-ribbon, making the living conditions and experiences of both sides tangible. At architecturally highlighted transfer stations, the design deftly bridges the gap to other historical dividing lines—including the inner-German border from 1948 to 1989.