Augusta Raurica – Ancient City in the Park

The new park design by Fontana Landschaftsarchitektur links the individual excavations along a trail. By the wayside, so to speak, the highlights of the depths of history buried in the earth are exposed to the gaze of visitors.

Augusta Raurica turns a history lesson into time travel. Again and again, the trail passes monuments and excavation sites, embankments imitate the shapes of as yet unexcavated witnesses to the ancient city, or else conceal finds that cannot at the moment be given proper expert treatment.

This translation of a conservation trick into landscaping allows visitors on the one hand to experience the underground remains, while protecting these sensitive witnesses against the ravages of roots, air, feet and destruction.

In the new Augusta Raurica the relationship between park and city is turned on its head: while the park is usually the jewel and attraction of the city, here the remains of the ancient city are the attractions in the park landscape.

The large bronze city model at an important intersection of the paths creates an overview and a three-dimensional idea of what lies hidden beneath the earth, only revealing itself as an exhibit here and there.