ROMAN HERITAGE
Most of us at one time or another have read about the exploits of Hannibal crossing the Alps assuming that they were the Swiss Alps when actually he crossed the French Alps at the Col de Traversette. It’s a great feat and a fantastic story. Equally interesting and less known is that the Romans who ultimately defeated the Carthaginians during the Punic Wars, did cross the Alps and established a number of military camps and towns in what today is Switzerland. They annexed Helvetia to the Roman Empire in 15 BC. There are only a few Roman structures left today, some of which are well preserved.
One of the better-known Roman sites in Switzerland is located in the village of Avenches. Aventicum, founded by the Helvetians , became the capital of the region under Roman rule and had at its peak a population of approximately 20,000 inhabitants. Its well-preserved amphitheater could originally accommodate up to 16,000 spectators. Over the years a number of the upper tiers were lost, significantly reducing seating capacity. Nevertheless, today it is still used as an ideal venue for music festivals in Summer, and the famous Avenches Tattoo which will be held this year from 1 to 3 September.
We introduced you to the well-preserved Roman site of Augusta Raurica in our spotlight on Basel Land. Built near the Rhine as a defence against the Alemanni, it became a major trading center with about 20,000 inhabitants. An earthquake in 250 AD & constant attacks by the Alemanni caused its population to abandon the city. Today you can visit the restored ruins and attend performances in the Roman Theater
.
About a 30-minute drive from Augusta Raurica you can visit the site of the most important Roman Legion camp in Switzerland. For a short number of years, Vindonissa, which is located in what today is Windish, was key in the defence of the territory and an important military base for further expansion beyond the Rhine. Today in addition to following the “Legionary Trail”, you can view open-air live action battles at Roman Festivals held at the site. The Vindonissa Museum is located in Brugg, a short drive from Windish.
One of the oft overlooked Roman sites is located in the Valais at Martigny. Under the reign of the Roman Emperor Claudius, it was the administrative center of the region. The only vestiges left is the amphitheater which today hosts a number of events, the most important of which is the “Fight of the Queens”. It is the Swiss version of bullfighting except no one gets hurt. Herens cows have a natural tendency to compete for dominance. Only one can be the queen of the herd. They will lock horns, moo at each other, do a lot of pushing & shoving until one finally intimidates all opposition. As a spectator sport, farmers select cows from their herds (usually poor milk producers) and train them to compete. As modern gladiators they will compete for dominance in the amphitheater with the winner crowned as “La Reine des Reines” (The Queen of Queens). This popular competition has attracted as many as 50,000 spectators.
For details checkout the videos & web sites by clicking on the various highlighted links above.
Most of us at one time or another have read about the exploits of Hannibal crossing the Alps assuming that they were the Swiss Alps when actually he crossed the French Alps at the Col de Traversette. It’s a great feat and a fantastic story. Equally interesting and less known is that the Romans who ultimately defeated the Carthaginians during the Punic Wars, did cross the Alps and established a number of military camps and towns in what today is Switzerland. They annexed Helvetia to the Roman Empire in 15 BC. There are only a few Roman structures left today, some of which are well preserved.
One of the better-known Roman sites in Switzerland is located in the village of Avenches. Aventicum, founded by the Helvetians , became the capital of the region under Roman rule and had at its peak a population of approximately 20,000 inhabitants. Its well-preserved amphitheater could originally accommodate up to 16,000 spectators. Over the years a number of the upper tiers were lost, significantly reducing seating capacity. Nevertheless, today it is still used as an ideal venue for music festivals in Summer, and the famous Avenches Tattoo which will be held this year from 1 to 3 September.
We introduced you to the well-preserved Roman site of Augusta Raurica in our spotlight on Basel Land. Built near the Rhine as a defence against the Alemanni, it became a major trading center with about 20,000 inhabitants. An earthquake in 250 AD & constant attacks by the Alemanni caused its population to abandon the city. Today you can visit the restored ruins and attend performances in the Roman Theater
.
About a 30-minute drive from Augusta Raurica you can visit the site of the most important Roman Legion camp in Switzerland. For a short number of years, Vindonissa, which is located in what today is Windish, was key in the defence of the territory and an important military base for further expansion beyond the Rhine. Today in addition to following the “Legionary Trail”, you can view open-air live action battles at Roman Festivals held at the site. The Vindonissa Museum is located in Brugg, a short drive from Windish.
One of the oft overlooked Roman sites is located in the Valais at Martigny. Under the reign of the Roman Emperor Claudius, it was the administrative center of the region. The only vestiges left is the amphitheater which today hosts a number of events, the most important of which is the “Fight of the Queens”. It is the Swiss version of bullfighting except no one gets hurt. Herens cows have a natural tendency to compete for dominance. Only one can be the queen of the herd. They will lock horns, moo at each other, do a lot of pushing & shoving until one finally intimidates all opposition. As a spectator sport, farmers select cows from their herds (usually poor milk producers) and train them to compete. As modern gladiators they will compete for dominance in the amphitheater with the winner crowned as “La Reine des Reines” (The Queen of Queens). This popular competition has attracted as many as 50,000 spectators.
For details checkout the videos & web sites by clicking on the various highlighted links above.
