Page 168 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Budapest

166  BUD APEST AREA B Y AREA

j Aquincum
Aquincum

The remains of the Roman town of Aquincum
(see pp22–3) were excavated at the end of the
19th century. Visitors are free to stroll along
its streets, viewing the outlines of temples,
shops, baths and houses, in what was once
the centre of the town. This civilian town was
founded at the beginning of the 2nd century
AD, a couple of decades after a legionary View Towards the Museum
fortress (see pp174–5) was established to its The area opened to visitors
south. In the centre of the site there is a Neo- is only a fragment of
Classical museum building, which was built a much bigger
town.
in 1894. At the south end is a myth-themed
playground. On the other side of the road are the
remains of an amphitheatre, where Aquincum’s
in habitants once sought entertainment.

. Public Baths
The walls of the thermal baths
are immaculately preserved.
Visiting the baths was a social
event for the Romans.

Central Heating System
Archaeologists have here
unearthed the Roman
ver sion of central heating,
an under-floor system in
which hot air was circu-
lated under mosaic floors.

. Macellum
This was the covered mar ket
hall. Having stalls positioned
around a cool inner courtyard
kept the produce fresh and
made shopping comfortable
all year round (see pp22–3).

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