Not many tourists know that the city we call Budapest today has been continuously inhabited for over 6 thousand years. One of the earliest (4th c. BC) rock-solid evidence of human settlement is contributed to the Celtic Eravi tribe, who settled in the area of Óbuda and the plain across the river and named it all ample water „Ak-ink”.And then the Romans conquered it all.

Roman achievements

„All roads lead to Rome” says the proverb and yes, there was one leading out from Pannonia as well. By the first century the city of Aquincum formed an integral part of the North East borders of the Roman Empire to repel barbarian attacks. The Roman’s built out a truly imperial city comfortable for approximately 40.000 people with the classic Roman urban accessories like aquaducts, private and public baths, and don’t forget the amphitheaters. And so, the Roman beach (Római part) is not the most Roman attribute of the city.
Keep your eyes open while running your daily errands as you might stumble upon some of these half-hidden ancienttreasures:

  • Aquaduct: inbetween the Aquincum and Kaszásdűlő stops of Hév 5.
  • Cellatrichora (ancient cemetary):

    on the corner of III., Kunigunda and Hunor street
  • Eastern gate: III., Kórház str. 7.
  • Southern Gate: some parts visible in the underground of Flórián square
  • Legionary Camp bath(Thermae Maiores): ruins visible in the underground of Flórián square at the entrane of the Bath Museum
  • Barracks: III., Miklós street
  • Hercules Villa: III., Herkules street
  • Amphitheater: on the corner of III., Pacsirtamező and Nagyszombat streets
  • Contra-aquincum:Március 15. Square (in front of the Downtown Abbey)
  • The Governor’s Palace(unearthed) under the buildings of the old boat factory in Óbudai Sziget
  • Transaquincum (unearthed) under Dagály street
Becoming alive

Although the capital of Pannonia had been asleep and covered in dust for over 1500 years, once a year it all comes to life again during the celebrations of Spring. The Floralia Festival (11-12 May, 2013 in Aquincum Museum) is not just an annual remake of an ancient flower show. It’s all interactive. So get your hands dirty with clay and make yourself a pot or a vase! Update your summer wardrobe and sew yourself a toga! And of course watch the gladiators sweat and die or even try their weapons in the gladiators’ school or why not participate in a real-life slave auction and by one for yourself!

As we have learnt from our history books the decline of the great Roman Empire started in the provincial areas and so Aquincum could no longer hold up against the raids of barbarian groups like the Huns, our predecessors. All we still have are the ruins.