Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Petronell-Carnuntum & Around
02165 / POP 1240
The Roman town of Carnuntum was the most important political and military centre in
the empire's northeast; with a population of 50,000 people at its peak, it made Vienna
look like a village in comparison. The town developed around AD 40 and was abandoned
some 400 years later. Today it exists as a relic of Roman civilisation in Upper Pannonia.
The main sights are spread between the modern-day settlement Petronell -Carnuntum, the
larger spa town of Bad Deutsch-Altenburg about 4km away, and Hainburg, another 4km
east of this.
Sights
All four Roman attractions and the Kulturfabrik are covered by one ticket (adult/child
€10/5) including transport in the archaeological park bus on weekends. Note that the
months the sites open change slightly each year (check the website).
Freilichtmuseum Petronell
(
www.carnuntum.co.at
;
Hauptstrasse 1a, Petronell-Carnuntum; 9am-5pm mid-Mar-mid-Nov)
The open-air
museum is the major attraction in Petronell-Carnuntum itself and lies on the site of the
old civilian town. It includes ruins of the public baths and a reconstructed temple of Di-
ana. Hunky young actors lead tours in kitsch tunics and togas, and you can buy replicas
of Roman sandals and clothing here for your next toga party. The museum is enclosed
and very touristy, but nevertheless interesting and good fun; descriptions everywhere are
in
linguam anglicus
.
RUIN
Ampitheatre
(Wienerstrasse 52, Petronell-Carnuntum; 9am-5pm mid-Mar-mid-Nov)
Situated about 2km on from
Freilichtmuseum Petronell towards Bad Deutsch-Altenburg, the grass-covered amphi-
theatre formerly seated 15,000. It now hosts a theatre festival over summer.
RUIN
Museum Carnuntinum
(Badgasse 40-46, Bad Deutsch-Altenburg; 10am-5pm mid-Mar-mid-Nov)
This museum of archaeolo-
gical finds is the largest of its kind in Austria, having amassed over 3300 Roman treas-
ures in its 100-year existence. The museum's highlight,
Tanzende Mänade
(Dancing
Maenad), a marble figure with a perfect bum, is usually displayed here. While in Bad
MUSEUM
