Visiting in the ancient CARNUNTUM, Petronell

Roman City Quarter

The Roman city quarter is an area in the south-east of the former civilian city of Carnuntum. To the south, where today’s main road runs, was the Roman city wall whose exact position has been determined by archaeological excavations in recent years. The city quarter was inhabited from the 1st up to the 5th century AD.

Four buildings have been re-erected in their original locations, giving a glimpse into Roman society. All buildings as well as the level of the streets correspond to the circumstances of the first half of the 4th century AD. Together with decorative details and furniture a unique time frame to this epoch has thus been opened.

Reconstructions have been erected using experimental archaeology. Building work was able to be carried out partly with original Roman stonework and with reconstructed Roman tools using ancient building technology and craft skills. All technical facilities in the buildings are fully functioning.

Solid wooden constructions were made with chiefly old wood cut by hand instead of wood cut in a saw mill. The tiles for the underfloor heating system were made as an archaeological experiment in a reconstructed kiln in the Roman city quarter, using original pieces as models. The roof tiles based on original finds were reproduced in a specialized tile factory.