Vindonissa Legionary Trail

Accessibility

Getting here Arriving by car For those arriving by car, disabled parking spaces are available on the premises of Königsfelden Psychiatric Services. These are only a few hundred metres away from the Le

 
Habsburg Castle

Accessibility

Getting here Arriving by car We generally recommend arriving by car. The steeply sloping access to the castle courtyard is closed off with a barrier. Visitors with reduced mobility may enter the court

 
Lenzburg Castle

Accessibility

Getting here Arriving by car Visitors with reduced mobility can park at the rear entrance of the castle by appointment (follow the "Lieferanten/Behinderte" sign). From this entrance (ring the bell at

 
Wildegg Castle

Accessibility

Getting here Arriving by car Visitors with reduced mobility may drive up to the castle gate. However, no parking spaces are available here. We kindly ask you to park your vehicle in the general car pa

 
Königsfelden Abbey

Accessibility

Getting here Arriving by car Visitors with reduced mobility can park at the meeting centre of Königsfelden Psychiatric Services. From there it is about 4 minutes to the convent church on a level path.

 
Hallwyl Castle

Accessibility

Getting here Arriving by car Parking spaces for visitors with reduced mobility are available directly adjacent to the castle. There is also a disabled parking space in the general car park. Getting he

 
Vindonissa Museum

Accessibility

Getting here Arriving by car Parking spaces for people with reduced mobility are available at the Eisi multi-storey car park in the centre of Brugg. The short distance to the Vindonissa Museum is flat

 
Wildegg Castle

Bistro

Enjoy the unique ambience of Wildegg Castle in the bistro, on the loggia or the terrace facing the courtyard. Admission to the castle bistro during museum opening hours is free of charge. CHF, EUR and

 
Vindonissa Museum

Treasures from Vindonissa

Admission: Museum entrance fee Useful information The archaeological tour is included in the museum entrance fee . Registration is not required. Adults can also complete the tour without the treasure

 
Vindonissa Museum

Opening hours and entrance fees

Opening hours Regular opening hours Monday closed Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 1 pm – 5 pm For schools and groups on request additionally 10 – 12 midday Saturday closed Sunday 1 pm – 5 pm *Spe

Gradian
Das Amphitheater Legionärspfad im Sonnenlicht mit viel Grün

Roman sites

Amphitheatre – Amphitheatrum

An amphitheatre was an integral element of all larger-scale settlements in ancient Rome. In view of the tough day-to-day life of a legionary, entertainment was especially important: the amphitheatre of Vindonissa is the oldest and largest in Switzerland. This roman site can be visited without museum admission.

The amphitheatre of Vindonissa is the oldest in Switzerland. It was erected by the 13th legion, initially being made of wood. After a fire, the 21st legion replaced it with the stone structure that survives today. The seating area (cavea) had a capacity of some 11,000 spectators while the oval arena in the centre measured 64x52 metres - the largest of the seven known amphitheatres on Swiss territory.

The amphitheatre was a Roman invention that was widespread in the provinces and is regarded as the ultimate symbol of Roman culture.

Animal hunting and slaying (venationes) and gladiator duels (munera) were presented to the audience in the arena. The gladiators in particular were highly popular, with real fan communities forming among spectators. Due to their huge popularity among the people, the games were also of political interest to the organisers: popular support could be gained by investing in the games, so no expense was spared when it came to the gladiator pairings. Exotic animals were a particular highlight, too: a possible indication here is the foot bone of a camel that was found at Vindonissa.

Since the legionaries liked to be entertained during their free time, too, amphitheatres were virtually a standard feature of legionary camps. Like the troops' parade ground (campus), an amphitheatre would have been situated outside the camp. The first excavations in the amphitheatre at Vindonissa were carried out as long ago as 1897. The structure has been in the possession of the Swiss Confederation since 1898. If you stand in the arena and looked up at the spectator terraces, you can almost sense the excitement and noise even today.

The amphitheatre of Vindonissa can be visited without museum admission.