Archaeological traces of the Roman presence north of the Danube in Austria’s Weinviertel region and the Czech Republic’s South Moravia are largely invisible today. Nevertheless, the region was characterized by diverse military, economic, and cultural interactions. This is where the EU-funded “Roman Trails” project at the University for Continuing Education Krems comes in: It explores this previously little-known past and, with the help of digital technologies and innovative educational formats, makes it accessible to the general public.
The focus is on developing a cross-border thematic region in the Austrian-Czech border area. In collaboration with the Institute of Archaeology of the Czech Academy of Sciences in Brno, archaeological findings are being systematically analyzed and translated into real-world applications. “Our goal is to present scientific findings in a way that creates immediate added value for society,” explains project leader Raffaela Woller. “This not only promotes the sustainable development of the region but is also an important factor in shaping the local population’s sense of identity. Hand in hand with raising awareness and fostering a sense of connection to one’s own cultural heritage goes the protection of cultural assets – because people usually want to protect what they know and value.”
Digital technology makes the invisible visible
In the 2nd century AD, the Roman Empire launched a counteroffensive north of the Limes in response to repeated incursions by the Marcomanni and other Germanic groups. To this end, field camps were established that could be quickly erected, secured, and dismantled. They usually consisted of square ditches enclosing a group of tents.
A key challenge of the project is that there are hardly any visible traces of this Roman presence on-site today. The temporary military camps were constructed from short-lived materials such as wood and other organic matter. Geophysical surveys – such as soil resistivity measurements and geomagnetic surveys – have revealed structures such as ditches and gateways at the archaeological sites, in addition to numerous small finds.
This is where “Roman Trails” comes in with its digital methods: 3D models of archaeological finds, virtual landscape reconstructions, and mobile apps enable visitors to experience historical situations firsthand. Through digital interface points – such as QR codes along the routes – scientific content is made directly accessible on-site. Visualizations are deliberately designed as approximations, combining scientific foundations with easy-to-understand presentation.
Virtual reconstruction of the interior layout of a temporary Roman camp consisting of regularly arranged tents, as might have been found north of the Danube in the Weinviertel region or in South Moravia.
Reconstruction of the fortification system of a temporary camp based on archaeological findings from the Weinviertel/South Moravia region: an outer double ditch with a rampart and palisade.
In the Roman Trails project, however, the past is not only made visible, but also tangible and smellable: specially designed event concepts that appeal to various sensory perceptions can be adapted for target groups with special needs and are intended to guide specialized educational outreach. Replicas of archaeological finds can be touched, and the scents of the Roman past can even be smelled in some cases.
New ways of collaborating across borders
The project views the area north of the Danube not as a historical periphery, but as a region of intense contact and exchange. The Danube Limes itself was not a rigid border, but rather a zone of encounter, as Raffaela Woller explains: “The region was by no means characterized by constant conflict. Rather, research shows that trade, exchange, and diverse relationships determined how people lived together. This cultural dialogue and mutual respect for different ways of life were also key factors in the long-term success of the Roman system.”
This perspective is also reflected in the project’s structure: As an Interreg project, Roman Trails promotes cooperation between Austria and the Czech Republic and contributes to the development of a shared cultural identity that transcends national borders. At the same time, it is creating a network of stakeholders from the fields of archaeology, tourism, cultural education, and regional development. Six so-called “RomanTrails” – hiking and biking trails in Austria, the Czech Republic, and across the border – are planned. They connect selected sites and allow visitors to experience the region’s Roman heritage firsthand.
Laser scanning of small objects found during archaeological excavations and systematic surveys.
A key feature of the project is its transdisciplinary approach: archaeological research is combined with tourism development, digital technology, and educational initiatives. This creates formats that meet scientific standards while remaining accessible to a variety of audiences.
This focus is also evident in the close collaboration at Campus Krems. Students from IMC University of Applied Sciences Krems are involved in the project and, as part of their bachelor’s theses, develop practical concepts for the region’s tourism development. In addition, summer schools, internships, and other educational programs are being developed to support young scientists in particular and provide insights into the practical aspects of cultural outreach and project work.
Sustainable use and long-term impact
In addition to the digital applications and the “Roman Trails,” the project is developing a comprehensive catalog of event and educational formats. This catalog brings together proven concepts for various target groups – ranging from school programs to tourism-oriented formats – and provides related materials, instructions, and educational approaches.
The goal is to ensure that the project results remain usable in the long term and continue to have an impact beyond the project’s duration. The developed content will not only be used along the routes but also integrated into museums and communities in the region.
In this way, “Roman Trails” contributes to raising awareness of and preserving a cultural heritage that has received little attention to date. At the same time, the project exemplifies how transdisciplinary approaches can translate scientific findings into applications that have a societal impact.
Project information
Title: Roman Trails - On the Trail of the Romans in the Weinviertel Region and in South Moravia
Funding: EU | Interreg AT-CZ, Projektnummer ATCZ00143
Project duration: 01.05.2024 - 30.04.2028
Project leader for the University for Continuing Education Krems: Raffaela Woller, BA MA
Project collaboration: Assoz. Prof. Mag. Dr. Anna Maria Kaiser, Mag. Michaela Kukula
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