Roman military camp in Bratislava makes UNESCO list

Gerulata site dating back to 1st century becomes capital’s first World Heritage Site.

Ancient Gerulata Museum in Rusovce was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List this year.Ancient Gerulata Museum in Rusovce was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List this year. (Source: Courtesy of MMB)

A Roman military camp described by experts as a “small Rome” has become Bratislava’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site.​

Lost in Bratislava? Impossible with this City Guide!Lost in Bratislava? Impossible with this City Guide! (Source: Spectacular Slovakia)

​The Gerulata site in the Rusovce borough of the capital was officially included on the UN organisation’s list of globally significant sites at the end of July. It is the eighth such location in Slovakia.

SkryťTurn off ads
Article continues after video advertisement
SkryťTurn off ads
Article continues after video advertisement

Jaroslava Schmidtová, archeologist of the Ancient Gerulata Museum told The Slovak Spectator: “Adding Gerulata to UNESCO’s World Heritage List is an acknowledgement of the value [of the site] to the international community. We have become a site worth preserving for future generations.”

SkryťTurn off ads

The Gerulata military camp, which dates back to between the 1st and 4th century AD, was part of the Limes Romanus, or border of the Roman Empire.

For decades it has been a lesser-known, but historically important attraction for tourists in the capital.

Visitors to the Ancient Gerulata Museum in Rusovce are greeted by a copy of a stone plate depicting the shepherd Attis from Phrygian mythology.

The original plate, which was unearthed during an archaeological dig in the area, is on display in the museum and is one of its most valuable historical artefacts.

“Gerulata is a small Rome,” Schmidtová said. “The influence of the entire Roman Empire can be seen in this small area.”

Gerulata and Kelemantia

The rest of this article is premium content at Spectator.sk
Subscribe now for full access

I already have subscription - Sign in

Subscription provides you with:
  • Immediate access to all locked articles (premium content) on Spectator.sk
  • Special weekly news summary + an audio recording with a weekly news summary to listen to at your convenience (received on a weekly basis directly to your e-mail)
  • PDF version of the latest issue of our newspaper, The Slovak Spectator, emailed directly to you
  • Access to all premium content on Sme.sk and Korzar.sk

Top stories

Štefan Galvánek with his pictures in the unique Coburg Park in the village of Pohorelá. The park belonged to the aristocratic family of Coburgs.

Štefan Galvánek captures the beauty of the Horehronie region.


Marcela Ballová 25. sep
Harvesting festivities in the town of Modra near Bratislava.

Autumn is the time to celebrate the grape harvest. Festivals for running...or a public transport for those not keen on running. Here's what to do during the weekend September 8-10.


8. sep
"Underground trains ride every four minutes, but the election is held only once in four years."

Two free trains covered by four NGOs.


18 h
SkryťClose ad