FAU’s Roman Boat F.A.N. – Where it all began

Die F.A.N. auf dem Römer- und Keltenfest im Römer und Kelten Museum Manching 2026. (Bild: Wolfgang Wilsch)

Visiting the F.A.N. in Manching for its 10th anniversary

Ten years ago, construction work began on Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU)’s first Roman boat. It was built to mark the occasion of the University’s 275th anniversary. At the beginning of July, project leader Prof. Dr. Boris Dreyer, Professorship for Ancient History, his team and the Fridericiana Alexandrina Navis (F.A.N.), visited the Roman and Celtic Festival at Römer und Keltenmuseum Manching. Among the exhibits at the museum are the original pieces of wreck No. 2 from Oberstimm which the design of the F.A.N was based on.

With great weather during the weekend of the festival, a large number of visitors were able to visit the replica vessel, which was displayed on land with its sails hoisted. The replica Roman boat was also joined by many reenactment groups at the museum, including a Roman cavalry with a camp and artillery. There were also many activities on offer for the 1000 or so visitors, such as blacksmithing or baking with a Roman oven.

“As over the last ten years, the F.A.N. will continue to be part of our research this year with the aim of understanding more about the boat-building skills of the Romans and how ancient vessels behave in the water,” says Boris Dreyer. “The focus this year is on the performance of the sails.”