Discover the site
The archaeological site of Petinesca can be found on the hill called Jensberg in the municipality of Studen. No magnificent buildings or Roman columns on this prominence. The structures are low lying and almost invisible. Only the form of landscape suggests the existence of a Gallo-roman neighbourhood of the artisans or the impressive Celtic ramparts. But this hill left its mark on the history of the whole region for more than five centuries: with the presence of a Celtic oppidum and a prosperous Roman town considered as the economic and religious centre for the Seeland and region around Biel/Bienne.
Activities
The NMB Neues Museum Biel proposes on demand guided visits for schools, groups and firms all year round. The duration of such a visit varies from one to three hours. Depending on your interests, the visit allows you to discover the port, the artisan’s neighbourhood, the fortified entrance to the town, the baths and guest house and finally the sanctuary. During the month of May 2017, a varied programme is suggested in situ with the best specialists: guided visits, lectures and activities for young people. Many other activities will take place during the exhibition on Petinesca at the NMB.
Peki is the mascot of the site of Petinesca. This little Dog made out of terracotta has been found inside a grave at the site of Petinesca. It is estimated that is has been crafted at around 200 AD. Now 1800 years later you can print your own Peki with the help of your 3D-Printer! Download Peki and have fun. Download Peki
Practical Information
The site of Studen-Petinesca is accessible all year round. The archaeological objects found in Roman Petinesca and its surroundings are shown in the NMB Neues Museum Biel. They give us information on the presence of the Romans , the daily life of the inhabitants and the importance of Petinesca in the region. Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 11-17h. Closed on Mondays.
The NMB Neues Museum Biel proposes on demand guided visits of the site and the collections for schools, groups and firms all year round. For further information: info@nmbiel.ch or 032 328 70 33. Both buildings of the museum are fitted out for wheelchairs (lift) and have facilities for the disabled. The archaeological site is not accessible with wheelchairs.
Price: Adults: CHF 8.- / Seniors, disabled: CHF 6.- / Students, apprentices CHF 4.- / Groups (min 10 Persons) CHF 5.- per Person / Schools CHF 2.- per student / Children up to 16 years free entry
Access and contact
Petinesca
By train: To go to Petinesca, you must take the regional BLS train (Biel/Bienne-Bern line) and stop at the Station of Studen. From there, you follow the Dammweg under the bridge. After the roundabout, turn right and you will find the fortified entrance to Petinesca. Continue in the direction of the quarry, and take the path leading into the forest. Then you follow the Keltenweg past the shooting stand and fork right in direction of the Roman sanctuary. Sometimes the shooting stand is used, so that you have to follow an alternative route which is more difficult. The walk from the station lasts about a half-hour.
By car: From Biel, take the semi-motorway to Bern and fork at Studen. Leave on the left towards the village and park at the train station. From there, you have a half-hour walk up to the site. When coming from Bern, take the motorway exit at Lyss-Nord and follow in direction of Worben and Studen. Park the car at the train station and walk up the hill from there (half-hour walk).
NMB Neues Museum Biel
By train: The NMB is easily reachable from the Biel/Bienne train station after a 12 minute walk. You take the Bahnhofstrasse and turn to your left at the General-Guisan Platz to follow the Spitalstrasse. Almost at the end, you turn to the right on the Schüsspromenade and you arrive directly at the museum. You can also take the bius from the station. With the bus no. 1 in direction of the Eisbahn, you get out at the bus stop Mühlebrücke and walk back towards the museum. With the bus no. 11 in direction Maggligenbahn-Rebenweg, use the bus stop Museen.
By car: The car park «Museen» (Rüschlistrasse) is very near the museum. Buses are requested to announce their arrival at the museum (032 328 70 30/31), as to allow people to get out and park near the premises. There is a parking space for disabled behind the Neuhaus building at the end of the Karl-Neuhaus-Strasse.
NMB Neues Museum Biel
Seevorstadt 52
2501 Biel
032 328 70 30
info@nmbiel.ch
Association Pro Petinesca
Seilerweg 3
2557 Studen
Schweiz
info@propetinesca.ch