Around 2000 years ago, the Roman legions advanced into the foothills of the Alps and what is now southern Bavaria. A little later, the Romans founded the province of Raetia (Raetia), whose first capital was Cambodunum, today's Kempten. There, and also in other Allgäu cities, traces of the ancient Romans can still be found today, which provide interesting cultural and historical impressions.
A few decades after the military conquest of the foothills of the Alps, the Romans founded the province of Raetia, to which today's Allgäu also belonged. The first capital of the province and seat of the governor was Cambodunum, today's Kempten. In order to connect the province with the original Roman Empire, the Romans built several important roads, such as the famous Via Claudia Augusta, which served as the most important connection across the Alps for traders, legions and the imperial post office. As a result, numerous buildings and settlements were built along the Via Claudia Augusta, traces of which can still be discovered today. People interested in history and culture can embark on an exciting journey through time on their Allgäu holiday and immerse themselves in the world of the ancient Romans. We will show you where Roman traces can be found in the Allgäu cities.
Kempten and the Cambodunum Archaeological Park
Kempten, one of the oldest cities in Germany, as Cambodunum was most likely the first capital of the province of Raetia before it was replaced by Augsburg. Anyone who would like to follow in the footsteps of the ancient Romans in Kempten today should, above all, visit the Cambodunum Archaeological Park (APC), an excavation site and museum that has been open to the public since 1983 . Here in the Gallo-Roman temple district, visitors can marvel at reconstructed buildings and temple complexes on a 1:1 scale, which provide an authentic picture of the complex around 2000 years ago. In a second section, the park presents an ancient bathing complex. During a tour, visitors discover the remains of the Roman thermal baths and learn interesting facts about Roman bathing culture as well as the technology and equipment of these facilities on display boards. In a third section, the park presents parts of the former forum and the market basilica. Numerous events such as concerts, exhibitions and regular guided tours as well as attractions for children make the Cambodunum Archaeological Park a great excursion destination for the whole family.
Füssen and Schwangau
The city of Füssen can look back on an eventful city history spanning more than 700 years. The origins of Füssen can even be traced back to Roman times, when the core cell of today's city was a Roman military camp and later the Foetibus fort. Where the fort used to be is now the remarkable Benedictine monastery of St. Mang. Around Füssen you can also discover original traces of the Via Claudia Augusta, which was revitalized as a holiday route in the 90 years. The original route ran where Lake Forggensee is today, the largest reservoir in Germany, which is drained in winter. Then people interested in history can visit its grounds and discover evidence of the ancient Romans here and there. In Schwangau, the Villa Rustica am Tegelberg is well worth seeing, a Roman estate from the 2. Century, which provides impressive insights into life back then and the amazingly sophisticated technology.
Further traces of the Romans in Allgäu
An impressive Villa Rustica was also excavated in Marktoberdorf, of which the bathhouse has been preserved in a very good condition. There are also entertainment options such as an excavation site for amateur archaeologists. The museum in Ehrenberg also provides exciting insights into the Roman era, where every summer the Ehrenberg Knights' Games take visitors back not only to the Middle Ages, but also to Roman times with a huge spectacle. Also worth a visit is the South Swabian Archeology Museum in Mindelheim, where the Roman period is also an important topic.
