Carnuntum, Archaeological park in Lower Austria, Austria
Carnuntum is an archaeological site with Roman houses, an amphitheater, and military structures along the southern bank of the Danube. The site shows both reconstructed buildings and exposed wall remains of an ancient city.
Roman soldiers built a military camp here around 50 AD, which later grew into a larger settlement. The city became a provincial capital in the 2nd century and lost its importance after several invasions in the 4th and 5th centuries.
The name Carnuntum comes from a Celtic predecessor settlement and may refer to the horned god Cernunnos, since the shared root carn means horn. Each year the Art Carnuntum World Theatre Festival stages classical drama in the ancient amphitheatre. Marcus Aurelius wrote part of his Meditations while staying in the city.
The route leads through several separate areas, including an open-air museum with reconstructed houses and a bath complex. The grounds are large, so sturdy footwear and sun protection are advisable in good weather.
Archaeologists discovered a gladiator school outside the city walls in 2011 using ground radar, without digging. The facility had a small training courtyard in the center, surrounded by cells for the fighters.
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