History of the Museum Carnuntinum

The Museum Carnuntinum is a must for everyone visiting Carnuntum. It was built by Friedrich Ohmann and August Kirstein, two of the most respected architects of the outgoing K.u.K. Monarchy, and opened in 1904 by Emperor Franz Josef I. Built in the spirit of historicism in the style of a Roman country villa, the design takes up typical architectural elements from the Roman provinces. The Museum Carnuntinum fits seamlessly into the circle of large museum buildings on Vienna's Ringstrasse.

The construction of the museum was financed by the Gesellschaft der Freunde Carnuntums (GFC) from private funds. At that time, patrons and donors included important representatives of the imperial family, the nobility, the upper middle class, science and business. With the construction, the GFC pursued the goal of bringing together the extensive collection from the first excavations in Carnuntum in one place. The Museum Carnuntinum is thus the first excavation museum in Austria and today shows a large part of the collections on ancient Carnuntum.


Exhibition "The Eagle of Rome - Carnuntum and the Army of the Caesars"

The current exhibition summarizes the latest research results on the military topography and settlement development of Carnuntum and is dedicated to life in the Roman army. Where did the soldiers come from, what careers did they create, how were they equipped, and how did the Roman military work?

Highlights include the world's best-preserved cornu, a brass instrument used to transmit commands, and fully preserved helmets. Original finds from Carnuntum provide very personal insights into the careers and lives of Roman soldiers.

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