Augusta Raurica
About This Museum
Believe it or not, you can walk through a fully reconstructed Roman house just a stone's throw from Basel. Augusta Raurica isn't your typical stuffy museum; it's a sprawling, sun-drenched archaeological park where history feels tangibly alive under your feet. I spent an hour just wandering the incredibly preserved amphitheater, imagining the echoes of gladiators from 2,000 years ago. The main museum building cleverly sits at the edge of the old town center, framing the ancient ruins with a modern, minimalist facade that lets the artifacts take center stage.
Collection Highlights
The real showstoppers are the everyday objects that somehow survived two millennia: a intricate silver hoard, complete with plates and cutlery from a wealthy household, and the hauntingly beautiful Roman theatrical masks. Don't miss the collection of delicate glassware that looks like it could have been blown yesterday.
Visitor Information
Wear comfortable shoes because this place is massive—it's best explored on foot over a few hours. It's incredibly family-friendly too, with tons of hands-on activities and even resident pigs that are bred to resemble ancient Roman breeds.
Architecture & Building
The museum is a sleek, modern building with clean lines and lots of glass, designed to complement rather than compete with the ancient ruins it protects.
Contact & Location
Address: Villa Clavel, 17, Giebenacherstrasse, Augst, Bezirk Liestal, Basel-Landschaft, 4302, Schweiz/Suisse/Svizzera/Svizra
Phone: +41 61 552 22 22
Website: Visit Website
