What was life like in ancient Vindobona, the Roman army camp that existed nearly 2,000 years ago in what is now the historic city centre of Vienna?
Roman Museum, a surprisingly exciting spot located in the very heart of Vienna next to the Anker Clock, will give you in-depth insight into the topic. For children and young people, the most interesting part are exhibits presenting everyday life of Roman legionaries and their families, as well as local people and immigrants during that time.
What were the Romans doing here in present-day Vienna? How did they live in times of war? What did they do in times of peace, which were even longer than the war periods? What lifestyle did their kids and families have?
A prominent part of the Roman Museum is located underground and contains the remnants of two tribunes´ houses. They happen to be the most important archaeological finds in Vienna from this era.
Roman Museum, a branch of the Wien Museum, offers a rich educational program for children. It includes workshops and guided tours for schools and families as well as occasional special events. Most activities are suitable for kids ages 6 years and older and are mostly-held in German. Occasionally, there are some activities in English.
Sunday hands-on workshops that take place after the guided tours (approximately twice a month) are often suitable for kids of all languages since there are English-speaking educators who can help children with the hands-on components of the workshop in English.
Children’s workshops at the Roman Museum cover a vast range of life of Roman soldiers and civil people, Celts, local people, and immigrants in Vindobona, in an age-appropriate, interactive, and very engaging way. Workshops are full of fun and kids learn plenty of fun facts: Did you know the phrase “Money does not stink” is derived from Emperor Vespasian, who introduced a latrine tax? What did people love most in antiquity? What were children playing with? What did a “Roman” doll look like? What was a soldier’s everyday life in Vindobona like and why did they have to learn Latin? These are just some of the questions that get answered in the workshops.
Many events and workshops at the Roman Museum are organised in collaboration with WienXtra, some of them as part of the WienXtra holiday pass.