these old stones

Augusta Raurica - Roman ruins in Switzerland

In its heyday, AUGUSTA RAURICA – a Roman Rhineside provincial capital about 20km east of Basel near the

modern village of Kaiseraugst – was home to some twenty thousand people. These days it comprises

the largest set of Roman ruins in Switzerland, and is an easy day trip from Basel.

Augusta was founded at the same time as Basel, 44 BC, in the territory of the Gallic Raurici tribe.

During the first and second centuries AD it was a prosperous city,

but was virtually destroyed by an invasion of the Alemanni tribes around 260 AD.

Many of its stones were pilfered during the Middle Ages, but exploration of the site and excavations have been

continuous for more than a century, and have uncovered the best-preserved classical theatre north of the Alps,
temples, a forum, taverns, many public buildings and more.