Discovering Roman Vienna: Vindobona And Carnuntum, Vienna, Austria

Vienna may be best known for its imperial grandeur and artistic heritage, but its history dates back to Roman times. Beneath the modern city lie the remains of Vindobona, once a thriving military camp and civilian settlement along the northern border of the Roman Empire. Although the Roman city has now largely disappeared, you can find remnants of Roman Vienna if you look hard enough. And there is more to discover at nearby Carnuntum.

Vindobona, the site of the modern city of Vienna, was a legionary camp strategically positioned along the Danube Limes, the empire’s fortified frontier. The military base housed thousands of Roman soldiers, protecting trade routes and defending against Germanic tribes. The camp and associated settlement were established in 97CE. The population grew to around 30,000 inhabitants and the area enjoyed a period of increased prosperity.

Roman Vindobona consisted of the legionary fortress and settlement, and a civilian town to the southeast. The fortress was located in precisely the same place where the Historic Centre of Vienna now stands. The civilian town was in what is now the 3rd district (Landstraße). Nothing of the latter is now visible although archaeological excavations have uncovered traces of residential buildings and infrastructure. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).