About the Project
Roman Trails is a project co-financed by the European Union within the Interreg Austria – Czech Republic program. The project is led by the University for Continuing Education Krems in cooperation with the Institute of Archaeology of the Czech Academy of Sciences. The goal is to create a cross-border thematic region focused on the little-known Roman history north of the Danube.
The Roman history of southern Moravia and Weinviertel (northern Lower Austria) holds great historical and cultural significance. These areas formed a cultural, economic, and military unit. Although they were closely connected in antiquity, today they are separated by modern borders and are differently developed for tourism. The aim of the Roman Trails project is to revive this Roman history north of the Danube and support the tourism potential of the region under one common brand.
Background
The Danube Limes is considered a ‘hard’ border of the Roman Empire. Less well known is that the Romans were also present north of the Danube and that the Danube did not function as a firm boundary against neighbouring areas of present-day Lower Austria, southern Moravia, and western Slovakia.
Today’s borders are a modern construct. In the second half of the 2nd century AD, southern Moravia and Weinviertel formed a cultural unity where the Roman army operated jointly and interacted with the local population. Roman expansion to the north, documented by archaeological finds, provides the basis for creating a joint tourism offer that connects places and municipalities in the region and attracts visitors interested in culture and history.
The project focuses on three main challenges in this border region, which represent opportunities for sustainable cooperation and tourism development:
- Lack of joint tourist destinations promoted under a unified brand, focusing on lesser-known sites.
- Lack of tourism concepts for Roman sites north of the Danube, which are very interesting for culture and history enthusiasts but are not sufficiently developed or well-known. Creating a Roman brand for the region, especially between Carnuntum and Mušov, should fill this gap.
- Inequality between southern Moravia and Weinviertel – in southern Moravia, cultural tourism is mainly driven by individuals and small institutions, while Weinviertel has strong tourism organizations. This inequality will be addressed by jointly creating a cross-border strategy and training for workers in tourism and cultural education.
Aims of the Project
The goal of the Roman Trails project is to support cross-border cooperation in cultural tourism and create a common thematic region based on the Roman history of Weinviertel and southern Moravia.
Project Results:
- ‘Romans North of the Danube’ – A Cross-Border Thematic Tourism Region:
Local and regional organisations from the fields of tourism, archaeology, culture, and gastronomy are collaborating long-term as a cross-border network to make the Roman heritage visible and tangible. The thematic region and its individual sites are being established through joint branding and mutual marketing, and are strengthened by coordinated offerings and continuous development.
- ‘In the Footsteps of the Romans North of the Danube’ – Jointly Developed Strategies and Action Plans:
The jointly developed strategy forms the foundation for implementing the shared thematic tourism region. Drawing on the expertise of local and regional professionals in archaeology, tourism, and regional development, sustainable, active, and nature-based tourism offerings are being created. These offerings convey both the Roman cultural heritage and the modern natural landscape of the Weinviertel and South Moravia, thereby strengthening the region’s identity and long-term appeal.
- Virtual Reconstructions of the Roman Past & Interactive ‘Roman Trails’:
Eight interactive “Roman Trails” are being established as cross-border hiking and experience routes. They combine historical content with modern interpretation and offer local short versions – ideal for families or school groups. Digitized Roman artefacts and virtual reconstructions of ancient (partial) landscapes provide an authentic historical context. These formats can be flexibly developed further based on the implemented versions.
- Network of Roman Sites North of the Danube:
The thematic region ‘Romans North of the Danube,’ its Roman sites, and the interactive ‘Roman Trails’ are set to become an attractive destination for cultural and active tourism. Accompanying project events and targeted measures aim to further increase interest and sustainably boost visitor numbers.
The creation of walking and cycling trails along Roman traces, supported by digitized findings and virtual reconstructions, aims to strengthen local and regional tourism.
New scientific insights, for example about Roman ports and navigable tributaries of the Danube in antiquity, will be part of the common brand. Evidence of Roman presence will be complemented by Germanic and Celtic finds, showing interaction with the local population. The combination of archaeological knowledge and modern technologies will provide new information about Roman presence north of the Danube. Digital technologies will be used to virtually reconstruct historical buildings and landscapes for a better visitor experience. The project also draws on experience gained in the Interreg DTP “Living Danube Limes” project, which focuses on communicating archaeological information and developing sustainable tourism.
The aim is to make historical heritage accessible and increase the number of visitors in areas less developed for tourism. Emphasis on ecologically sustainable tourism and the involvement of local gastronomy will ensure that the region is not harmed. Interactive workshops and tours focused on Roman history will offer new economic opportunities.
The project is divided into three phases:
- Development of a strategy for sustainable tourism development in the thematic region.
- Digitization of Roman finds and virtual reconstruction of the landscape for various purposes.
- Implementation and testing of Roman trails and creation of a tourism product offer.
The project connects the little-known Roman history of southern Moravia and Weinviertel with walking and cycling routes to support soft tourism. The shared cultural heritage of the Roman period is communicated through innovative cultural mediation approaches, increasing the region’s attractiveness for tourists. Interactive presentations of history complement this experience and anchor the Roman trails in the historical landscape, contributing to the overall tourist experience.