For over four centuries, the Roman Empire shaped the Danube as the vibrant lifeline and strategic border of Central Europe. With the construction of the Limes and the incorporation of the former Celtic kingdom of Noricum, the Romans brought much more than just a military presence: they laid the foundation for a highly developed culture, from visionary architecture and the art of thermal baths to the cradle of our modern wine culture. Today, the authentic traces along the Lower Austrian Danube region invite visitors to rediscover this deep historical foundation and consciously experience the cultural roots of our region in all their permanence. Since 2021, the Danube Limes has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
For centuries, the Limes marked much more than just a demarcation line between the Roman Empire and the tribal territories of Germania; it was a space for cultural exchange and a symbol of ancient order. While the Danube provided a natural barrier, the Romans created a foundation for stability and regulated trade that went far beyond military considerations through a precise network of legionary camps and watchtowers.
This impressive defence system, which stretched from the North Sea to the Black Sea, finds its stone counterpart in the Austrian river landscapes. Carnuntum is particularly noteworthy: once the capital of the province of Upper Pannonia, this place developed into a cosmopolitan metropolis. Today, the excavated structures invite visitors to immerse themselves in the deep history of an ancient metropolis and trace the fascinating tension between imperial power and civilian life.
At the strategically important intersection between the Amber Road and the Danube, Carnuntum grew into a centre of ancient globalisation. As Austria's most extensive archaeological landscape today, the area reveals the fascinating coexistence of military structure and civil awakening. The history of this place goes back a long way: from the founding of the oldest legionary camp on what is now Austrian soil to its elevation to an autonomous civilian city under Emperor Hadrian. The Roman city of Carnuntum invites you to explore its multi-layered identity.
The Carnuntinum Museum serves as the heart and treasure trove of the former cosmopolitan city and offers much more than purely scientific documentation. With an impressive collection of over two million artefacts – the largest of its kind in Austria – it provides a deep, multifaceted insight into everyday human life and the social structures of antiquity.
From 98 AD onwards, the legionary camp of Vienna (Vindobona) was built on a flood-proof plateau. Today, St. Stephen's Cathedral stands to the south-east of this site. The fort walls were used as city walls until the end of the 12th century and are still partially visible today. The Roman Museum in Vienna offers a fascinating insight into the hidden foundations of the city.
On a striking high terrace, where the abbey now stands, the Roman fort once marked the westernmost outpost of the province of Pannonia. In the meditative atmosphere of the abbey cloister, parts of the ancient camp gate and the interior buildings have been uncovered and carefully preserved.
Zeiselmauer (Cannabiaca) brings Roman history to life. The layers of time are particularly fascinating: today's parish church was built directly above the former Roman camp headquarters. On a walk through the town, you can still discover impressive remains such as the fan tower and the old gate, known as the ‘Körnerkasten’ (grain store). An authentic place where the transitions between the eras can be felt directly.
The former Comagenis cavalry camp now offers fascinating insights into Roman architecture. A real highlight is the Roman tower (also known as the salt tower): it is one of the few towers along the Danube whose ancient masonry has been almost completely preserved up to the roof. The eastern camp gate can also be experienced up close today under a protective structure – an impressive testimony to the durability of Roman technology in the middle of the garden city.
In Traismauer town centre, you will come across traces of the ancient Augustianis cavalry camp. Traismauer Castle is particularly impressive: the Roman walls have been preserved in its courtyard, and the stables were once located under the arcades. With the Roman gate, the hunger tower and the excavations in the lower church, the town offers a wonderful opportunity to discover the defensive history of the Limes on a leisurely tour.
Today's Mautern stands on the foundations of the Roman fort of Favianis. In the baroque granary of the castle, the Roman Museum invites visitors to take a journey through time with over 1,500 artefacts. Impressive relics such as the Hufeisenturm (Horseshoe Tower) and the Fächerturm (Fan Tower) can be discovered right in the town, still demonstrating its ancient defensive capabilities today. A special highlight for explorers can be found in the district of Mauternbach, where the original ruts of a Roman road can be seen directly in the rock – with the typical track width of 1.10 metres at that time. Those who want to combine history with enjoyment will find the remains of the almost 2,000-year-old fortification directly in the walls of the Nikolaihof winery.
In the picturesque Wachau region, former Roman watchtowers (burgi) bear witness to the former border security, as they are now part of living buildings:
St. Lorenz: Here, antiquity merges with the present – over the centuries, the Roman tower has been integrated into both a small church and a residential building.
Bacharnsdorf: An impressive testament to Roman architecture. The walls preserved here are considered the tallest remaining watchtower ruins on the entire Danube Limes. The ruins themselves are nestled in the historic townscape near Bacharnsdorf House No. 7. The south wall, which is over nine metres high, allows the appearance of this fortification to be easily reconstructed.
St. Johann im Mauerthale: History is within reach in this church. The walls of the former tower were incorporated into the church building and have been preserved up to the second floor – inside the nave, you can even discover two original arched windows.
Ancient Arelape was once an important base for the Roman Danube fleet and the seat of high-ranking military officials. Much of the original complex has been eroded away over the centuries by flooding. Today, the Roman Museum in the late medieval Welserturm tower invites visitors to immerse themselves in ancient Pöchlarn. Spanning two floors, the modern permanent exhibition ‘Arelape’ displays fascinating finds – from classic exhibits to the latest discoveries. It is an inspiring place that shows how deep the roots of this Danube town reach back into Roman times.
Today's centre of Wallsee lies directly above a Roman fort. The market square still runs along the main road of the fort. In addition, the remains of the commandant's headquarters have been discovered under the town hall. Even after 1500 years, continuity can still be seen here.
The Lauriacum Museum preserves the heritage of one of the most important legionary camps in the Danube region in a contemporary way. As one of the most modern Roman museums in Austria, it offers much more than just an exhibition: it is an interactive journey of discovery into the everyday life and history of Roman soldiers and citizens. The well-researched presentation of the excavation finds invites visitors to immerse themselves in the ancient world of Lauriacum and experience the historical roots of Austria's oldest city up close.
In Wels, the Minoriten City Museum opens a fascinating window into the civilian life of Ovilava. Outstanding finds relating to ancient domestic culture and crafts make it clear just how highly developed everyday life already was 2,000 years ago. For those who want to combine nature and culture, the Roman Cycle Route offers a special experience: over 242 kilometres from Passau to Enns, you can follow in the footsteps of the legionaries through idyllic landscapes. Information boards along the route bring the millennia-old history of settlement to life and turn the cycle tour into an inspiring journey through time.
In late antiquity, the Romans built a small but very massive fortification on the Danube in Oberanna near Engelnhartszell. It is by far the best-preserved Roman structure in Upper Austria.
Wine was rarely enjoyed neat, as this was considered a sign of drunkenness. Instead, the Romans invented the ‘Gspritzten’ – as it is known in Austrian. The ratio of wine to water varied depending on preference or the innkeeper. Ice-cold wine was particularly popular on hot days, while mulled wine was enjoyed on cold nights.
Winegrowing has existed in the Wachau region since Celtic times. The first documented mention dates back to the time of St. Severin and the Romans around 470 AD. The Romans were skilled in the art of refinement and promoted the cultivation of vines along the Limes after Emperor Domitian's ban on winegrowing in the northern provinces was lifted.
