The restoration of the amphitheater of the military city

The military amphitheatre of Carnuntum is one of the most important architectural monuments of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Danube Limes and the only structure from the camp suburb of Carnuntum that is still visible today.

The approx. 98 × 76 m amphitheatre was built in the middle of the 1st century AD as a wooden structure and, according to a preserved inscription, was expanded into a representative stone building in the 70s of the 1st century. Towards the end of the 2nd century, the theatre was rebuilt again and extended. In addition to hosting the popular gladiator games and animal fights, the building, which could accommodate around 8,000 people, also served as a venue for parades and exercises for Roman troops.

The amphitheatre, which was excavated between 1888 and 1890, was acquired and restored by the province of Lower Austria in 1893 at the instigation of the Carnuntum Association. This made the amphitheatre the first Roman-era ruin in Austria to be restored with public funds and made accessible to visitors. Further restorations and various repairs followed in the 20th century.

Like the other freestanding Roman monuments in Carnuntum, the amphitheatre is permanently exposed to harmful environmental influences. New dangers are also posed by climate change with ever-increasing temperature fluctuations. The original Roman building fabric and the various restorations over the last 120 years have suffered greatly and in some cases show massive damage. Different methods and materials were used during the long restoration work, which are also responsible for some of the damage today.

The biggest problem is penetrating moisture. The dense and hard masonry additions of the older renovations prevent the interior from drying out. This leads to damage to the core and, as a result, to the shell-like demolition of the facing masonry shells.

The Province of Lower Austria and the Federal Monuments Office are currently implementing a comprehensive renovation project which, in addition to moisture remediation and water drainage, primarily includes static, building physics and chemical aspects. The materials and mortar systems used are of particular importance. Wall sections that were incorrectly constructed or added to in the course of older restorations are dismantled and corrected. All work is supervised and monitored by archaeologists.

For safety reasons, the amphitheatre will remain closed during the maintenance work. Once the restoration work has been completed, the building will be made accessible to the public again with a new presentation concept for a deeper understanding of the function and appearance of the complex.