Aquincum

Understand

Aquincum was originally settled by the Eravisci, a Celtic tribe. After the Batonian War (6–9 AD), the Danube became the Empire's northern border, and Aquincum was rebuilt as a military fortress (castrum), part of the Ripa Pannonica - the fluvial part of the Limes border protection system. Around 41-54 AD, a 500-strong cavalry unit arrived, and the 6,000 strong Legio II Adiutrix was stationed here by 89 AD. The city gradually grew around the fortress. Being the centre of operations on the Roman frontier against the neighbouring Iazyges, Aquincum was occasionally the headquarters of emperors. Under Hadrian, the city obtained municipal status; his later successor Marcus Aurelius may have written at least part of his Meditations at Aquincum. Under Septimius Severus, Aquincum became a colonia. After an administrative reorganization in 106 AD, it became the capital city of Pannonia Inferior province, holding that position until the administrative reform of Diocletian, more than a hundred years later. The city had around 30,000 to 40,000 inhabitants by the end of the 2nd century.

Getting there

To Aquincum from the center:

From Batthyány tér M2 by H5 to 1 Aquincum. From Nyugati pályaudvar M3 by S72 , G72 or Z72 to 2 Aquincum Train Station. From Göncz Árpád városközpont M3 by 34 or 106 to 3 Aquincum. To Békásmegyer from the center:

From Batthyány tér M2 by H5 to 4 Békásmegyer. From Göncz Árpád városközpont M3 by 34 to 5 Békásmegyer. The area can be accessed by D12 between Mar 15–Oct 31. Boat stations:

6 Rómaifürdő 7 Óbudai-sziget Public transport map of Óbuda–Békásmegyer.

See

In Aquincum:

1 Aquincum Museum and Archaeological Park (Aquincumi Múzeum és Régészeti Park), III, Szentendrei út 135 (Záhony utca 106 / Aquincum H5 ), ☏ +36 1 430-1081, [email protected]. Exhibitions: Apr–Oct: Tu–Su 10:00–18:00, Nov–Mar: Tu–Su 10:00–16:00. Archaeological Park: Apr–Oct: Tu–Su 09:00–18:00, Nov–Mar: Tu–Su only when the weather is dry and surfaces are not slippery. The remains of Aquincum the former capitol of Pannonia Inferior, built by the Romans. Exhibitions, archaeological park and Painter's House. Guiding available only if booked in advance (English, German, French, Hungarian). Apr–Oct: adult: 1600 Ft; senior, student: 800 Ft. Nov–Mar: adult: 1000 Ft; senior, student: 500 Ft. (updated Mar 2019) 2 Aquincum Civil Town Amphitheatre (Aquincumi polgárvárosi amfiteátrum), III, Zsófia utca 1 (Aquincum H5 ). The amphitheater was located outside the city walls, from the north of it. This is built around 150 CE, and in the third century it was renovated several times. Nearly circular floor plan, axis based sizes: 86.5 m (284 ft)×75.5 m (248 ft). It can be classified as earth amphitheater. The arena itself was surrounded by 3 m (9.8 ft) high stage wall. Free to visit (from outside). (updated Mar 2019) 3 Aquaeductus (Aqueduct, Vízvezeték), III, Szentendrei út (Záhony utca 106 / Aquincum H5 ). Free to visit. (updated Mar 2019) 4 Graphisoft Park, III, Záhony utca 7 (Záhony utca 106 ), ☏ +36 1 815-3400, [email protected]. Industrial park with office buildings next to the Danube. It was built since 1998, and mainly used by information technology companies. Here was the Óbuda Gas Works, a few historic industrial buildings remained here. Here you can find a statue about Steve Jobs, the founder of Apple, as well as "Chess Players", "Rubik's Cube". (updated Apr 2019) 5 Our Lady of the Stone Roman Catholic Parish Church (Kövi Szűz Mária római katolikus plébániatemplom), III, Szentendrei út 69-71 (Kaszásdűlő H5 ), ☏ +36 20 823-1757, plebania@kovi-mar

Do

Culture

1 Baltazár Theatre (Baltazár Színház), III, Zsófia utca 7 (Aquincum H5 ), ☏ +36 1 328-0235, [email protected]. Ticket: 2500 Ft. (updated Apr 2019) 2 Békásmegyer Community House (Békásmegyeri Közösségi Ház), III, Csobánka tér 5. (Békásmegyer H5 ), ☏ +36 1 243 2432, [email protected]. M–F 08:00–20:00. A branch of the Óbuda Cultural Center. (updated Apr 2019) 3 Csillaghegy Community House (Csillaghegyi Közösségi Ház), III, Mátyás király útja 13–15 (Csillaghegy H5 ), ☏ +36 1 240 0752, [email protected]. M–F 09:00–21:00. A branch of the Óbuda Cultural Center. (updated Apr 2019) 4 Kaszásdűlő Cultural Center 3K (Kaszásdűlői Kulturális Központ 3K), III, Pethe Ferenc tér 2 (Kaszásdűlő H5 ), ☏ +36 1 247-3604, [email protected]. M–F 09:00–21:00. A branch of the Óbuda Cultural Center. (updated Apr 2019)

Parks 5 Római Coastal Promenade (Római-part) (Nimród utca 34 / Rómaifürdő D12 ). 4.7 km (2.9 mi) long coastal promenade close to the river. It is well known among inhabitants – and increasingly among tourists – as a local recreational area, natural reserve, water sports facility, and – predominately between spring and fall – a popular entertainment area with numerous open air gastronomic facilities and bars. Free to visit. (updated Apr 2019) 6 Óbuda Island (Óbudai-sziget) (Óbudai-sziget 226 / Óbudai-sziget D12 / Filatorigát H5 ). Island on the Danube. There is a large park on the northern part. Free to visit. (updated Apr 2019) 7 Lake Gőtés (Gőtés-tó) (Zemplén Győző utca 243 ). Small park around the lake. Free to visit. (updated Apr 2019)

Baths 8 Csillaghegy Árpád Bath (Csillaghegyi Árpád forrásfürdő), III, Pusztakúti út 2-6 (Csillaghegy H5 ), ☏ +36 1 242-0754, [email protected]. 06:00–20:00. This bath is the oldest of the capital. It has worked since 1850s. Children's pool, aromatherapy massage, infrasauna, value storage, massage helping for blood circulation. Adult: 2400 Ft–2600 Ft; senior, s

Buy

In Aquincum:

1 Auchan Aquincum, III, Szentendrei út 115 (Kaszásdűlő H5 ), toll-free: +36 80 109-010. M–Sa 05:00–22:00, Su 08:00–20:00. Hypermarket. Services: bank, optics, pharmacy, post office, food bar. (updated Feb 2019) 2 Nánási Yard (Nánási udvar), III, Nánási út 47-49 (Nánási út 106 / Rómaifürdő D12 ), ☏ +36 30 942-0163, [email protected]. Small Farmers' Market: Sa 08:00–13:00; Trió Bistro: 11:00–18:30; Gombro'c Restaurant: Tu–F Su 11:00–21:00, F Sa 11:00–22:00; Omega3 Trout Bistro: 10:00–22:00; Bagetto Bakery: M–Sa 07:00–20:00, Su 08:00–18:00; Sörminta Pub: Tu–F 16:00–22:00, Sa 09:00–22:00, Su 14:00–21:00. Small farmers' market on Saturdays. Bistro with fast food and lunch. Traditional restaurant with special balls filled with sweet or savoury flavours. Bistro with trout dishes. Bakery, cafe and breakfast. Pub with various craft beers. Average meal in the bistro and the restaurant: 2890 Ft, lunch menu: 1490 Ft. (updated Apr 2019) 3 Spar, III, Köles utca 1 (Kaszásdűlő H5 ), ☏ +36 20 823-7770, [email protected]. M–F 06:30–21:00, Sa 06:30–20:00, Su 08:00–14:00. Supermarket. (updated Feb 2019) In Békásmegyer:

4 Békásmegyer Market, III, Heltai Jenő tér 1 (Békásmegyer H5 ), ☏ +36 1 388-9131. M 07:00–17:00, Tu–Th 07:00–18:00, F 06:00–19:00, Sa 06:00–14:00. Services: grocery store, butcher, bakery. (updated Feb 2019) 5 Csillag Center, III, Rákóczi utca 36 (Czetz