Aguntum

About the museum

Aguntum is located approximately four kilometers east of Lienz in the municipality of Dölsach. Under Emperor Claudius (41–54 A.D.), the settlement in the province of Noricum received city rights as a municipium. Over the following two centuries, it grew into a trading center for East Tyrol and the Puster Valley, with city walls, bathhouse, market hall, and spacious residential buildings. From the 3rd century onward, life increasingly shifted to the better-protected hill of Lavant; an early Christian burial church shows that the city remained inhabited into the 5th century, with the last mention dating from 610.

As early as the 16th century, Roman ruins near Lienz were described, but not until 1873 were they connected with the historical city name. From 1912, the University of Vienna and the Austrian Archaeological Institute excavated the approximately 30,000-square-meter site; since 1991, the Institute for Archaeology at the University of Innsbruck has conducted research there every summer.

The Curatorium pro Agunto association made the excavated areas accessible as an archaeological park: in 1997 an observation tower was built, in 1999 an excavation house. In 2005, the new museum opened according to architect Thomas Moser's plans with approximately 1,200 square meters of exhibition space; two years later, the protective building over the atrium house was constructed. The permanent exhibition displays finds from Aguntum from the turn of the century through the 3rd century, supplemented by reconstructions, models, and VR headsets.

Highlights

• Marble basin from the atrium house garden as the focal point of the exhibition
• Reconstructed city wall with double main gate
• Remains of the public bathhouse and round macellum
• Rebuilt Roman kitchen and life-sized figures in Roman clothing
• 18-meter-high observation tower over the excavation site
• Summer excavations by the University of Innsbruck

Permanent exhibitions

• Römerzeit in den Alpen – Finds from Aguntum such as ceramics, amphorae, jewelry, coins, mosaics, and a completed large bronze, plus models, a Roman kitchen, and VR insights into city life.
• Archäologischer Park – Walkable excavations with city wall and city gate, atrium house under protective building, craftsman quarter, macellum, bathhouse, and observation tower.

Founded

2005

Operated by

Verein Curatorium pro Agunto

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Monument Day (2026: Sunday, September 27)

Free admission with Osttirol Card, ICOM or Museum Association pass. Discounts not applicable to combo tickets. The Lienz sports pass is not recognized.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The open-air archaeological park is only partly accessible by wheelchair.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

Family Sundays April–October (2–4 p.m.) with Roman craft workshops such as pottery or jewelry making, Easter puzzle rally in the park, the summer week "Art Meets Science" for ages 8–12, and a children's summer university; registration required for each.

Getting there & parking

GPS address: Römerstrasse 1, 9991 Dölsach. The excavation site is on both sides of Federal Road B 100.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant

Aguntum Café & Restaurant (Taverna) at the museum, Mon–Wed 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Thu–Sun 10 a.m.–10 p.m.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit