In Eastern Austria, near Vienna, stands a mysterious ancient gate amidst farm fields, which is known as the Heathen's Gate.
This landmark stirred our interest as we were visiting Carnuntum, the ancient Roman city.
The Heathen's Gate is an extension of Carnuntum, which was the headquarters of the Pannonian fleet.
At its peak, the town of Petronell-Carnuntum was turned into the region's capital, and over 50,000 Romans lived there. Yet, while the city was extensively researched, the Heathen's Gate remains an enigma.
What is the Heathen's Gate?
The Heathen's Gate, known as the Heidentor in German, is an ancient landmark in Carnuntum built by the Romans about 1,650 years ago, around 351 to 361 AD.
It's shaped like a broad cube with four large pillars connected by arches, making it look a bit like a huge open doorway from all sides.
Back then, it probably celebrated the power and victories of Emperor Constantius II, who ruled the Roman province known as Pannonia, during that time.
One interesting fact about this old monument is that the Romans used materials from even older buildings to construct it.
They were not just recycling; it was because valuable building materials were expensive and difficult to come by.
They also reused stones from places like temples, which shows how people’s beliefs were changing.
We know that later on, Christianity became more popular and old pagan traditions began fading away. This is probably how the name, Heathen's Gate, came to be.
Even though it's called a gate, historians aren't exactly sure what it was originally used for. A man named Wolfgang Lazius first described it in the 1500s, but he claimed it was just a regular city gate.
Today, archaeologists still aren't completely convinced, but they suspect it might have had military purposes since old Roman army camps at Carnuntum have been found nearby.
Over the years, many people have worked to protect and restore the Heathen's Gate, keeping it standing strong and safe for visitors. These restorations helped it become one of Austria's most famous ancient sites.
How to Visit?
The Heathen's Gate is located 900 meters south of Petronell-Carnuntum in eastern Austria. Carnuntum itself is a 1-hour train ride away from Vienna. Petronell-Carnuntum is a small Austrian rural town.
A road with signboards indicating the location leads to the location. It's right amidst wheat fields, which change to rapeseed flowers and other crops every year.
The visit to the gate is free of charge; you won't encounter any roadblocks.
You will find a large enough parking area there, and in the summer months we saw a few visitors periodically show up at the location.
A few came by car, others by motorbike, and many more enjoyed the landscape and the ruins across Carnuntum on a cycle ride.
If you visit, you'll see the impressive pillars and decorative stonework up close. Each stone tells a story, not only about ancient Rome’s strength, but also about the time when Christianity was becoming more popular, and shifting times changed the culture around Carnuntum.
Visiting the Heidentor today feels like stepping back in time. Every piece of this monument carries a bit of history, making it an exciting place for anyone who loves stories about ancient times.
A brilliant glass overlay helps understand what the gate might have looked like in Roman times.
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