© Romans on the Danube: Tin Legion © Mules of Marius
Romans on the Danube: Tin Legion © Mules of Marius
search
Search
Close

UNESCO World Heritage Site Danube Limes

Roman heritage on the Danube in Upper Austria

For over 500 years, the Roman Empire with its legionaries, craftsmen and farmers, its architecture, forts and baths shaped our country and left lasting traces.

The Danube was the northern border of the Roman Empire. The main base was "Lauriacum", a legionary camp in the area of today's city of Enns. From here, the Roman military directed a network of forts and bases to protect the border, from Linz to Schlögen and Oberranna in the Upper Danube Valley. But the Limes was by no means as impermeable as one might think, for trade flourished.

Immerse yourself in the eventful history of the Romans in the Danube region.

Lauriacum Museum

In one of the most modern Roman museums in Austria, visitors can expect an exciting journey of discovery into the world of the legionaries, their history and their everyday lives. Exciting guided tours and workshops allow you to immerse yourself in the world of the Romans at the Lauriacum Museum.

Lauriacum Museum in Enns: A large, multi-storey building with an impressive façade. The architecture is designed in the traditional style with many decorations and ornaments. There is a fountain with a statue in front of the building. Overall, the building conveys a historic, elegant impression.
Museum Lauriacum
© Tourismusverband Donau Oberösterreich Good Morning World Melanie Schillinger

On the trail of the Romans

Passau - Oberranna - Schlögen - Enns. The Danube connects. As a travel route and excursion destination. But also across the ages - as a natural border and trade route.

 

RoemermuseumKastellBiotroPassau18_WGDDonauOberoesterreichTourismusGmbHStudioDraussen.jpg

Roman Museum Boiotro Passau
© WGD Donau Oberösterreich Tourismus GmbH | Studio Draussen
Roman milestone at the Jochenstein Danube power station in Engelhartszell: a pillar-like structure with Latin inscriptions placed in front of a mountainous landscape.

Roman milestone
© Vianovis
Römerburgus Oberranna in Engelhartszell: In this hall with a high ceiling and wooden walls, there are several people walking on a catwalk between raised earth formations. The setting seems to resemble an archaeological or historical exhibition space where visitors can gain an insight into times gone by.

Römerburgus Oberranna
© WGD Donau Oberösterreich Tourismus GmbH/Hochhauser
Schlögen Roman Park in Haibach ob der Donau: A young couple look attentively at an information board showing various landscapes and maps. They are standing in front of a landscape with forest and mountains in the background.

Roman Park Schlögen
© WGD Donau Oberösterreich Tourismus GmbH | Studio Draussen
Roman lime kilns / Calcaria in Enns: An impressive cave with mighty rocks and a clearly visible staircase leading to a raised area. There is a large screen which apparently shows a view of an idyllic landscape. The walls of the cave are clad with wooden panels, giving it a cosy ambience.

Roman lime kilns Enns
© Michael Maritsch

Visualisations of the Roman excavations

Visualisations of the excavation sites of Oberranna, Schlögen and Enns provide insight into how the structures once looked and integrated into the landscape.

Hiking through the UNESCO World Heritage

The Donausteig hiking trail leads in a total of 23 stages from Passau to Grein. It promises stunning insights and views of the fabulous Danube region. There are also 49 circular tours that branch off from the main route into the surrounding countryside, inviting you to take leisurely hiking excursions to explore the region in all its facets. Step by step you move through this historically significant region, which already played an important role in the Roman Empire - as a traffic route and natural protective wall. Numerous archaeological sites still bear witness to the eventful past of this river landscape along the Danube Limes UNESCO World Heritage.