Aventicum, Capital of the Helvetii
The habits and customs of Aventicum’s inhabitants 2,000 years ago included entertaining themselves at the arena by attending gladiator fights, taking time for their well-being, as well as basking and relaxing at the thermal baths.
The Roman Site and Museum in Avenches
This Roman city was the capital of the Helvetii people, numbering 20,000 souls at the time; a settlement that rose to be a colony and was placed under the Emperor’s protection. Its influence and outreach extended far and wide, from the north to the south of the Alps. Evidence from this sumptuous and flourishing era are still visible today when visiting the Roman Site’s vestiges of its imposing monuments and the Roman Museum’s impressive collection of ancient objects.
The Roman site of Aventicum
Aventicum was a thriving city since it was founded and developed enormously during three centuries. At its peak, the city was home to nearly 20,000 inhabitants.
Many monuments and majestic vestiges remain from this prolific period and they are easily accessible to visitors during a one and a half hour hike or bike ride, as well as during a guided tour for a personalized sightseeing discovery.
Find out more about the Roman site of Aventicum
The Roman Site of Aventicum
This easy, accessible hike lets everyone discover the grandeur of Roman Helvetica’s ancient city of Aventicum, through its vestiges.
Roman site – Stereoscopes
Discovering the grandeur of Roman monuments in 3D is now possible thanks to the stereoscopic glasses installed on the Roman site.
The Roman Museum
Aventicum’s most precious treasures are preserved in the Roman Museum. The golden bust of Emperor Marcus Aurelius, discovered in 1939, in one of the ancient water pipes from under the largest temple in the ancient city, or the mysterious dodecahedron, of which scientists are still mystified as to their precise use, are just two of the rare objects to be see inside the Museum’s medieval tower overlooking the arena.
Find out more about the Roman Museum
Musée romain d’Avenches
The Roman Museum presents the vestiges of Aventicum, the Roman capital of the Helvets.
Gryon Desalpe festival
The Morges Christmas Market lights up the area around the Château.
Let’s get to work! Lives and professions in Aventicum
This temporary exhibition presents numerous previously unseen finds illustrating the craft activities and daily life of the inhabitants of Aventicum.
Exhibition – Let’s get to work! Life and work in Aventicum
The Roman Museum in Avenches presents its new exhibition dedicated to the many trades whose tools were discovered during excavations
Aventicum, a whole history! – Exhibition booklet
A booklet and game for young visitors and families accompanies the visit to the permanent exhibition Aventicum, a whole history!
Roman Museum in Vallon
Situated on a Roman archaeological site, the museum traces the region’s Roman heritage with mosaics, mural paintings and various objects.
A different way to explore Avenches
For just a few hours, how about setting off on some new adventures?