Two millennia ago, in the Roman Empire’s glory days, the Celtic Rauraci tribe settled here along the banks of the Rhine River. At its peak, Augusta Raurica was home to over 15,000 inhabitants.
Augusta Raurica is an open-air archeological site with authentic artifacts on display. Explore accessible ruins and participate in the same activities that ancient Romans experienced. Explore over 20 unique sites within its borders, including public baths and an aqueduct.
The enclosed museum is full of exhibits about the city’s history and its inhabitants’ daily life. Don’t miss the treasure of Kaiseraugst, a hoard of silver objects that construction workers found inside the city’s Roman fortress in 1961.
The massive amphitheater is the crown jewel of the settlement. With seating for 13,000 spectators, the central stage served as the Romans’ primary place of entertainment. You might get lucky and see the restored theater in action performances are regularly staged here.
Walk through the reconstructed Roman villa, which is furnished as its wealthy residents would have had it thousands of years ago. Explore its courtyard gardens or see how Romans prepared meals in the kitchen. Nearby, the animal farm has pigs, sheep and other animals that were popular with the Romans.
Guided tours are available on request. Be sure to inquire which languages are available for the day of your visit. Augusta Raurica is open every day of the year except for the eves and days of Christmas and New Year’s. It has shortened hours on special holidays. Visit the monuments and animal park for free. The museum and Roman villa have a small entry fee.
The charming village of Kaiseraugst is just a 10-minute walk from Augusta Raurica. Use the bus and train station to conveniently connect to the rest of Switzerland. Basel is just 9 miles (15 kilometers) west along the Rhine River. You can also reach Zürich in under 1.5 hours.
