Römermuseum Augusta Raurica
Museum of the Roman town of Augusta Raurica with archaeological finds, replicas of the silver treasure and a full-scale, walk-in reconstruction of a Roman house.
No sound? Check your device’s silent switch.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Roman Museum in Augst was created in the mid-1950s thanks to a donation from the Basel chemist René Clavel, who in 1955 also had the Roman House built "as a gift to the people". Under the direction of Rudolf Laur-Belart, a full-scale Roman peristyle house modelled on a town villa in Pompeii was built next to the museum building.
The museum presents a selection of the more than two million finds archived in Augusta Raurica, bringing to life the everyday life, crafts and tastes of the people of the Roman town; exhibits at the eye level of young visitors are part of the display. The best-known object is the Late Antique silver treasure of Kaiseraugst.
The Roman House, with its courtyard, garden, colonnades, banqueting hall, private bath, kitchen, butcher's shop, smithy and bronze foundry, can be touched and explored. Around the museum lies the open-air site with more than twenty monuments such as the theatre, forum and amphitheatre, complemented by an animal park and the Castelen estate.
Highlights
- More than two million finds, a selection on display
- The Kaiseraugst silver treasure as the most important object
- Roman House: walk-in villa at full scale, touching allowed
- Exhibits at children's eye level
- Open-air site with theatre, forum and amphitheatre, free to visit
Permanent exhibitions
- Römerhaus – A full-scale villa modelled on a town villa in Pompeii, with courtyard, banqueting hall, private bath, kitchen, butcher's shop, smithy and bronze foundry; everyday objects may be touched.
- Highlights der Sammlung – A selection of the more than two million finds, arranged by themes such as household, jewellery and dress, religion and cult, inscriptions, architecture and trades.
- Founded
- 1955
Admission & discounts
| Adults | CHF 8 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | CHF 6Children/young people aged 6–17, pupils/people in training up to age 26, AHV (Swiss old-age pension) holders, groups of 10 or more |
| Children & teens | CHF 6free up to age 5 · Children and young people aged 6 to 17 |
| Seniors | CHF 6AHV pension recipients |
| Visitors with disabilities | freecompanion free · IV (disability insurance) recipients and their companion enter free of charge |
| Students & apprentices | CHF 6Pupils and people in training up to age 26 |
| Groups (10+ people) | CHF 6 per personPer person for groups of 10 or more; schools/groups in training from BS, BL and AG free |
The museum and Roman House charge admission; the open-air site, protected monuments and animal park are free. Free admission also with the Swiss Museum Pass, Museums-Pass-Musée, VMS, ICOM, Familienpass Region Basel (children up to 18) and others. 25% discount with the BaselCard and Gästepass Baselland, 50% with the Black Forest guest card and KulturLegi. Payment also by Reka-Check and Reka-Card.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits
- Sign language tours
- Easy-to-read materials
- Audio description: no information
Holder of the "Kultur inklusiv" label since 2018. Available at the ticket desk: a mobile ramp for the Roman House, folding stools and a wheelchair for the museum. Tactile models and a plan for visitors with reduced mobility; the archaeological park is not wheelchair-accessible everywhere. Workshops and the family tour in the Roman House are available with sign language interpretation on request (2 months' notice); the Roman House is also available as a brochure in plain language.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 5 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
- Hands-on stations
- Kids’ birthday parties
Exhibits at children's eye level, everyday objects in the Roman House to touch, family tour, workshops, children's birthday parties and an animal park.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Augst BL Schwarzacker · 7-min walk
S1 from Basel SBB to Kaiseraugst station (not "Salina Raurica"), a 15-minute walk to the museum; or continue by bus 72 to "Augst BL Schwarzacker" (7-minute walk) or bus 83 to "Augst BL Langgass" (5-minute walk). From Basel Aeschenplatz or Liestal take bus 81 to "Augst BL Stundeglas", then walk or take bus 72.
By car
Paid parking
Car parks P2, P3 and P4 (P1 is currently closed due to construction work), pay parking; payment by Twint, Parkingpay, Easypark or cash (CHF). Coaches use P3; motorhomes may only park during the day.
Take motorway exit "Augst" or "Rheinfelden" and follow the brown "Augusta Raurica" signs. In summer you can also arrive by boat from Basel Schifflände.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Museum shop
- Coat check
- Lockers
Theatre bar "LUCI" in the park (March daily 11 a.m.–5 p.m. in good weather, April to October daily 10 a.m.–5 p.m.); lockers in the museum; museum shop. Picnic areas with fixed barbecue stations in the amphitheatre and at the temple on Schönbühl.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
Aperitif receptions in the Lapidarium (sculpture garden) and at the temple on Schönbühl, each from May to October; seminars and conferences at the Castelen estate. Book 14 working days in advance via the visitor service.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Public guided tours and workshops, including a tour for families in the Roman House; offers for groups and schools (also for independent exploration). Dogs are not permitted in the museum and the Roman House (guide and assistance dogs excepted), and must be kept on a lead in the rest of the grounds. |
