UNESCO World Heritage Danube Limes
Traces of the Romans along the Danube in Austria
The Romans came to the Danube 2000 years ago, remained there for over 400 years and were a defining element of the history. The Austrian Danube Limes was part of the 7500 kilometers long border of the Roman Empire, which ran through 20 countries and three continents, from Scotland to the Middle East and Morocco. Many equate the Danube Limes with the Great Wall of China, in terms of its importance as an archaeological monument. Heute ist der Donaulimes UNESCO Weltkulturerbe. Today, the Danube Limes is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Tangible history
In Upper Austria is the northern border of the Roman Empire located. From the first century AD, fortifications were built along the river. Nowadays, the Roman fortress in Oberranna and the Roman Bath in Schlögen can still be admired. In Lower Austria, more precisely in the excavation site of the Roman city of Carnuntum, a Roman district was reconstructed in original construction. This reconstruction is unique. Another highlight is the Heidentor, which is also located in Carnuntum. In Vienna, the Roman Museum offers insights into the Roman history of the legion camp Vindobona.
Upper Austria
Roman traces along the Bavarian-Upper Austrian Danube
The Danube formed the northern border of the Roman Empire. The main base in Upper Austria was "Lauriacum", a legionary camp in the area of today's Enns. From here, the Roman military controlled a network of forts and bases to protect the border, from Linz to Schlögen and Oberranna in the Upper Danube Valley.
A number of Roman traces can be marvelled at along the Bavarian-Upper Austrian Danube. They bring the history of the Romans back to life and give an insight into their everyday life.
The Boiotro Fort Roman Museum is located in Passau's city centre and rests on the foundations of the Boiotro fort built around 280 AD. The Roman fort in Oberranna, also called STANACUM, is about 1700 years old and the best-preserved ancient building in Upper Austria. In the Roman Park in Schlögen, a fort, a small civilian settlement and a Roman bath are waiting to be explored. The display collection in the Lauriacum Museum in Enns is one of the most important collections of the Roman period in Austria and is dedicated to life in the legionary camp and the Roman settlement. So let's go, pack your backpack and discover the traces of the Romans!
Lower Austria
Ancient Roman tracks along the Danube in Lower Austria
About 100 before Christ the Romans settled the colony Favianis along the Danube, at this place is now Mautern located. The Roman museum documents the archaeological momentous remains.
One of the oldest buildings of Austria is the Roman Gate and the Fortified Tower in Traismauer. In the courtyard of the castle Traismauer is the stonework of the former Limes-Castell located. Also today's Tulln contains impressive relicts with the Roman Tower and the Roman Museum. The Roman Walls in Zeiselmauer give an idea of how life was in formers roman ancillary troops castells.
The landmark of Carnuntum is the Heidentor, Austrias most famous roman heritage building. The roman history has been especially lively rehased in the Roman City Carnuntum. Here, at the original location a worldwide unique roman district has been reconstructed in historical context and in ancient architectural technology.
Roman enjoyments
The Romans promoted the cultivation of vine stocks at the Limes. Today there are still tracks from the Romans visible at the Nikolaihof Wachau in Mautern: In the courtyard are still remains from the Early Christian Agapetus basilica.
Norbert C. Payr, owner of the restaurant Zum Lustigen Bauern in Zeiselmauer, is famous as contemporary ambassador and pioneer of the roman cuisine. Every last Thursday of the month he cooks some typical roman meals.
Vienna
The Romans in Vienna
Vienna's beginnings as a settlement go back to Roman antiquity. In the 1st century after Christ, the Romans established the Vindobona military camp on the site of today's city center. Several thousand soldiers served to protect the northern border of the Roman Empire. A flourishing economy grew up around the Vindobona camp and 30,000 people soon lived in today's metropolitan area - among them people from all parts of the Roman Empire.
The Romans were the determining force in the Vienna area for around 350 years and traces of their culture can still be found throughout the city. Remains of the Roman camp suburb (Canabae) can still be marveled at on Michaelerplatz. And the Roman Museum on Hoher Markt - once the site of officers quarters and large baths - offers a journey back in time to Vienna's ancient past.
