Heidentor, Roman triumphal arch in Carnuntum, Austria
The Heidentor is a Roman triumphal gateway in Petronell-Carnuntum with four original archways that once faced different directions. One substantial arch remains visible today along with the foundation that reveals the monument's original sturdy construction.
The monument was built between 354 and 361 AD under Emperor Constantius II's orders to celebrate military victories near the Roman city of Carnuntum. It served as part of the fortifications and administrative structures of this important frontier settlement.
The structure got its name 'Heidentor' during the Middle Ages when local people saw the lonely monument and imagined it as a giant's tomb standing in the landscape.
The site is open to visitors and the monument can be viewed from outside, while guided tours provide more context about the history and architecture. Wearing sturdy footwear is wise since the ground is uneven in places.
At the base of the monument there are traces of a central plinth that likely held a statue of an emperor or a deity. These plinth remains show the structure originally featured a sculptural crowning.
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