Carnuntum

Carnuntum Review

The remains of the important Roman legionary fortress and civil town of Carnuntum, which once numbered 55,000 inhabitants, extend about 3 miles along the Danube from the tiny village of Petronell to the next town of Bad Deutsch-Altenburg. Though by no means as impressive as Roman ruins in Italy and Spain, Carnuntum still merits a visit, with two amphitheaters (the first one seating 8,000) and the foundations of former residences, reconstructed baths, and trading centers — some with mosaic floors. The ruins are quite spread out, with the impressive remains of a Roman arch, the Heidentor (Pagans' Gate), a good 15-minute walk from the main excavations in Petronell.

You can experience what Roman life was like circa 380 AD in the elegantly furnished Villa Urbana, which opened to the public in 2008. To reach Carnuntum from Vienna, take the S7, a local train that departs from Wien-Mitte/Landstrasse or Wien-Nord/Praterstern. It stops at both Petronell and Bad Deutsch-Altenburg.

Museum Carnuntinum. Many of the finds from excavations at Carnuntum are housed 4 km (2½ mi) northeast of Petronell in the village of Bad Deutsch-Altenburg, in the Museum Carnuntinum. The pride of the collection is a carving of Mithras killing a bull. Badgasse 40-46, Bad Deutsch-Altenburg. 2165/62480-13. mid-April.-mid-Nov. daily 10-6.