Digital stories from the ruins
Augmented Reality Experience in the ruins of the commercial buildings at Augusta Raurica
What happened in the final hours before the devastating fire?
Immerse yourself in the bustling everyday life of a Roman commercial building and experience the dramatic events at the historic site.
The commercial buildings of Augusta Raurica once housed an inn with guest quarters, the innkeeper’s living quarters, as well as storage and work rooms. In Roman times, the entire complex was destroyed by fire.
Today, you can rediscover this place digitally: with an AR audio drama and an interactive tour. The story in the audio drama is historically accurate – characters and dialogues are dramatised. On the tour, you can interactively explore archaeological finds on your smartphone and access additional information.
How it works:
1. Download the app
‘Augusta Raurica AR Experience’ – ideally before your visit (or directly on site).
→ Google Play Store | Apple Store (mobile only)
2. Download a free ticket
Download a free ticket for access to the commercial buildings.
3. Visit the commercial buildings
Visit the ruins of the commercial buildings in Augusta Raurica.
4. Start the experience
Have your smartphone or tablet and headphones ready, open the app and get started.
Good to know:
Duration of the audio drama: ca. 20 minutes.
The audio guide and the tour only work on-site.
Information
Offer for
Age
all ages
Group size
individual
Possible languages
DE, FR, EN, IT
Next dates
10:00 - 17:00
10:00 - 17:00
10:00 - 17:00
10:00 - 17:00
10:00 - 17:00
Organisation
Meeting point
Commercial Buildings (Kaiseraugst)
Accompanying persons
-
Booking
A ticket is required to enter the commercial buildings.
Costs
Price
free with ticket
Payment
Free ticket available at the museum ticket office or on site via QR code in the ticket shop.
Contact
Phone +41 (0)61 552 22 22 or mail@augusta-raurica.ch
Please note / Hints
Minimum requirements for the app:
Android
- Operating system: Minimum requirement Android 8.1
- Hardware: Minimum requirement 2 GB RAM
- Devices with ARCore support: https://developers.google.com/ar/devices#android_play
Apple
- Operating system: Minimum requirement iOS 12
- Devices: https://www.apple.com/augmented-reality/
The tour only works within the ruins area.
Inklusion
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Visual impairments
Visitors can fully immerse themselves in the ruins inside the protective building using their own smartphone or tablet. This requires the installation of the AR Experience app. The app is not optimised for screen readers. The app guides visitors through the rooms of the ruins using reconstruction drawings and a fictional audio play. There are texts and images about archaeological artefacts in the entrance area.
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Hearing impairments
Visitors can fully immerse themselves in the ruins inside the protective building using their own smartphone or tablet. Reconstruction drawings are displayed on the device and rotate as the visitor moves around. The information about the artefacts in the entrance area is available in written form. The tour of the ruins includes an audio play that is currently unavailable in written form or sign language.
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Mobility impairments
The protective structure was renovated in 2021 and made fully accessible to current building standards. A wheelchair-accessible toilet and stair lift are available.
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Impairment due to age
There is seating in the entrance area but not during the tour.
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Cognitive impairments
Visitors can fully immerse themselves in the ruins inside the protective building using their own smartphone or tablet. Reconstruction drawings and an audio play tell a fictional story of what might have happened in ancient times. There are texts and images about archaeological artefacts in the entrance area. All the rooms have been darkened slightly. The tour can be paused at any time. The audio play must then be restarted. The audio play depicts a fire.
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