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Want to know more about Germany?
Dip into our inspiring eBrochure and get your first impressions about the sheer diversity of Germany as a travel destination. The eBrochure is available in 32 languages.

eBrochure
eBrochure

Further information:
You can find more information about Germany on our website at: www.germany-tourism.de, or on our local websites.

 

Other highlights

Contact

Regio Augsburg "Via Claudia Augusta"
Bahnhofstr. 7
86150 Augsburg
Email:
tourismus@regio-augsburg.de
Internet:
www.augsburg-tourismus.de

Via Claudia Augusta
The history of the imperial Roman road

Alpine scenery near the Via Claudia Augusta

Almost 2,000 years ago the Romans built their only imperial road across the Alps - the Via Claudia Augusta. It stretched from the Adriatic town of Altinum near Venice and the ancient ferry port of Hostiglia (now Ostiglia on the river Po) across the Reschen Pass and the Fern Pass to the Danube. This 500 kilometre military supply route was for centuries the most important connection between the Roman motherland and its rich provinces to the north. The road is an impressive example of how Roman road building conquered nature. As with the aqueducts, the Roman water channels, they surmounted all obstacles; no hill was too high and no river too wide for the Roman road builders.

The route snaking through the mountains

To enable rapid military operations and to be able to move their legions quickly, the Romans needed well-paved roads on solid foundations that could withstand the impact of the soldiers' nailed boots, their pack animals and the heavy iron-clad wheels of their carts. Paved roads and highly developed vehicles revolutionised transport. The Romans also brought their own language and script, their form of government, religion and laws, calendar, coins and many other trappings of civilisation with them across the Alps. Numerous reminders of this historical lifeline as well as some remains have been preserved in many places, often reflected in today's road network. But you can also experience plenty of the peculiarities of the regions, periods, people and cultures along this imperial Roman road - on the cycle paths, hiking trails or in a car. Whether by bike, on foot, by car or on a coach with expert commentary - tracing the footsteps of the Romans along the Via Claudia is always a pleasure.

 
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Basic information

  • Length
    560km
  • Themes
    Archaeology, culture, travel, cycling and walking

Highlights in brief

  • Donauwörth
    Archaeology Museum, Käthe Kruse Doll Museum, Eurocopter (Europe's largest helicopter maker)

  • Augsburg
    Mozart city, Fuggerei, Puppenkiste puppet theatre, hot-air balloon museum, Roman Museum, "emperors' street" (Maximilianstrasse)
  • Landsberg am Lech
    Mutterturm Tower & Herkomer Museum, historical shoe museum, municipal museum
  • Füssen
    Neuschwanstein Castle, historical Roman baths, Kristall thermal baths, boat trips on Lake Forggensee
  • Austrian Tyrol
  • Reutte holiday region, Tyrolean Zugspitzarena region, Nassereith Pass, Imst-Gurgltal region, Kaunergrat West Tyrolean Nature Reserve, Nauders am Reschenpass