Scarbantia Forum, Sopron

The remains of the former centre of the Roman city of Scarbantia, predecessor of Sopron, are exhibited in a building beneath the present road level. This is the only heritage site of its kind in West Pannonia.

Completed in the middle of the 2nd century, the forum's stone paving is located approximately 4 metres below the present road level as are the remains of the curia, a Roman building complete with central heating. Descending to the exhibition area takes the visitor back almost two thousand years in history from a street preserving some medieval buildings to Roman times, right onto the stone-paved Roman square. Pillars and architectural ornaments of former buildings standing around the square demonstrate the high standard of the artistry of ancient Scarbantia. Reconstruction sketches are also provided to orientate the visitor.

Scarbantia was an important station on the Amber Road leading across Europe from north to south. The forum was used according to its intended function until the middle of the 4th century. Objects from the time of the Hungarian Settlement and an early Christian brick engraving are also on display here.