Centum Prata, Archaeological site in Kempraten, Switzerland.
Centum Prata is an archaeological site near Kempraten on the eastern shore of Lake Zurich, where remains from the Roman period have been uncovered. The excavations spread across several hundred meters and reveal the layouts of buildings, pathways, and other structures from ancient times.
The settlement began around 40 AD at the crossroads of major trade routes that the Romans connected between different regions. It developed into a regional center and demonstrates how Romans were economically active in this area and built their infrastructure.
The ruins reveal trade buildings, homes, and temples from the Gallo-Roman period, showing how people lived and worked here nearly 2,000 years ago. Through these remains, visitors can see how residents built their structures and what activities mattered most to the community.
The site is accessible and features information signs that explain the excavation area and describe the archaeological finds. It's best to visit on a dry day so you can clearly see the exposed structures and remains.
The name Centum Prata means 100 meadows and evolved over centuries through different pronunciations into the modern name Kempraten. This name change shows how the Latin language of the Romans gradually transformed into local speech in the region.
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