At the end of September pupils 7. of the year spent a sunny autumn day in the Roman town of Carnuntum. Carnuntum became the capital of the Roman province of Pannonia. It was a bastion on the Danube section of the Roman fortifications against the invasions of the barbarians, right on the border of the Roman Empire, in the immediate vicinity of a lively trade artery – the Amber Road. We were transported by time machine to the Roman era and found out how the Romans lived at that time. Did you know that when visiting a Roman house, you have to enter with your right foot so as not to offend the master of the house? Did you know that the Romans grew and ate purple carrots? And what did the Romans use their right hand for and what did they use their left hand for? What do the Roman amphora and our plastic bottle have in common? Not only us, but also the Romans had their ancient mecca. We learned many interesting facts about their daily lives.
In the afternoon we used our time machine again and found ourselves at Eugene of Savoy’s beautiful Schlosshof, a place where the Baroque comes alive and we decided to enjoy it in the straight imperial way like Maria Theresa. Have you ever been on the pavilion of a castle? We do. And there is a magnificent view of the gardens and fountains. We experienced an unconventional tour that revealed the hidden corridors of the servants’ quarters on the second floor, which have not been renovated, and the mysterious dark cellars
of the castle. Where does the underground passageway lead? What view does the second floor of the castle offer?
Who used to live there? Why did Prince Eugene need a hunting castle? Why did Maria Theresa have an audience room and Joseph II. a high bed? Why aren’t there bathrooms in the castle? We learned these and other interesting facts during our history excursion.
And do you know what our pupils liked the most? Life in the castle.
