Aguntum

Aguntum is an ancient Roman city in East Tirol, Austria. It lies four kilometres east of Lienz in the Drau valley. The Romans built it to use local metal sources. Iron, copper, zinc and gold were found nearby. A trading settlement grew here because roads met at this point. The city became an important mining and trading centre. Craftsmen worked metals into goods for transport along Roman roads. Other exports included cheese, wood and mountain crystals. A bishopric was founded here in the early Christian era. The city was later sacked by barbarians under Radagaisus and Alaric. Its decline began when the bishopric moved to nearby Lavant. Visitors find a small museum with objects from excavations. These include painted tombstones, pottery masks and bronze items. The Atrium House is covered by a modern building. It was an elegant villa with a fountain and marble table. Nearby stand city gates still three to four and a half metres high. The walls were two metres thick and stretch for tens of metres. An artisans’ quarter shows workshops with large boulders at corners. A large bath house has several marble pools, the biggest Roman bath complex in Austria. A forum and a circular building with a patterned marble floor also stand uncovered.