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.
What can be seen of the World Heritage Site?
The website of the Forum Donaulimes provides more information on the history of the UNESCO World Heritage Site and the places where it was found. In addition to the immovable remains of Roman architecture, it is above all movable objects that have been preserved and continue to occupy archaeologists to this day. The most important concern is always the protection of the World Heritage Site.
To the UNESCO sitesTangible history
The Austrian Danube Limes has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site - and for good reason. Along this historic border of the Roman Empire today lie fascinating archaeological sites that tell of a bygone era when Roman legions patrolled the banks of the Danube and settlements flourished.
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. 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!
New cycling fun between Passau & Schlögen: Danube Limes World Heritage Tour
ugmented reality has breathed new life into the UNESCO World Heritage sites between the episcopal city of Passau and the natural wonder of Schlögener Donauschlinge. The old walls now tell stories that you can immerse yourself in on a cycle tour along the Danube Cycle Path. The first stage (42.2 km) of the river cycle tour in search of the fascination of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Danube Limes leads from the three-river city of Passau downstream to the famous natural wonder of Schlögener Donauschlinge. Here on the Roman side of the legendary military border, the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of the Roman Museum at Boiotro Fort, the Roman Castle in Oberranna and the Roman Baths in Schlögen provide a visualization of the Roman world. The second stage on the northern bank of the Danube (41.4 km) - in the land of the “barbarians” - leads upstream back to Passau. Involuntarily, thoughts of the eternal forests of the free Germanic tribes in Roman times come to mind. Because every border has two sides!
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.
