ROMAN CITY OF AUGUSTA RAURICA

On the banks of the Rhine, and thus on the Swiss-German border, there's a turn-off for Augusta Raurica, a major archaeological site in the region, which corresponds to the first existence of the city of Basel in Roman times. The site has been occupied since 15 BC, as an extension of Colonia Raurica, the oldest Roman colony on the Rhine, with up to 15,000 inhabitants during its golden age in the ^2nd century. The town was then a prosperous center, both economically and culturally. It was the barbaric Alamanni who, a century later, brought the city to its knees. The town was reborn in the military form of a castrum, a little further on at Kaiseraugst.

The archaeological site. Today, the site is rich enough to delight all lovers of Roman antiquity: an imposing theater, the remains of the temple on the Schönbühl hill from which you can enjoy a beautiful panoramic view, and the mosaic exhibition in the basement. The area is dotted with maps and signposts to help you find your way around.

The museum. Numerous objects from the excavations are on display in the museum, notably in the "Roman house", a reconstruction of a house to give you an idea of how life was organized in those days. This is also where the magnificent treasure trove of silverware unearthed at Kaiseraugst rests: over 270 dishes, bowls, tableware and coins in 58 kg of pure silver.