Noviodunum, Roman colony archaeological site in Nyon, Switzerland
Noviodunum is a Roman settlement beneath modern-day Nyon on Lake Geneva. The remains include a forum, basilica, thermal baths, and the foundations of an amphitheater.
Caesar established the colony around 45 BC to settle army veterans and strengthen Roman control in the region between the Jura Mountains and Lake Geneva. The settlement became an important trading hub along Roman trade routes.
The archaeological finds from Noviodunum show how daily Roman life looked in this settlement. Mosaics, pottery, and personal objects give visitors a direct window into the community of that era.
The Roman Museum of Nyon displays artifacts from excavations beneath the modern city. While walking through Nyon, visitors can spot ancient stone blocks from Roman buildings built into the facades of some old town-center houses.
The town was built directly above the Roman remains, so builders constantly encountered ancient structures while developing the modern city. This layering of eras makes Nyon a place where two worlds literally exist on top of each other.
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