When you think of Ancient Rome, you probably picture the Colosseum, togas and chariots racing through dusty streets. But did you know that a piece of that world is still alive in Budapest? Just head up to the Óbuda district, and you’ll find Aquincum where you can walk through ancient ruins and stories that go back nearly two thousand years.

Aquincum was once a bustling Roman city. It started out as a Roman military base and evolved into a busy civilian town around the 2nd century AD. At its peak, up to 15,000 people lived there – craftsmen, traders, soldiers, politicians. The town had roads, houses, bathhouses, shops, temples and public buildings. It was a kind of mini-Rome, just on the edge of the empire. Today, it’s one of the richest Roman archaeological sites in Europe north of Rome.

Over the centuries, the city vanished beneath layers of earth and time. Then in 1778 a local farmer plowing his vineyard found some strange stone ruins. He had no idea he was standing on a Roman city. That small find turned into a huge discovery. Over time, the site earned the nickname “the Hungarian Pompeii.”

A museum built on ruins

The Aquincum Museum and Archaeological Park opened its gates in 1894. The man behind it was Bálint Kuzsinszky, a passionate young archaeologist who helped uncover the ruins and fought to preserve them. Under his direction, massive excavations revealed the Roman civilian town, its amphitheater and much more.

Today visitors can explore about a quarter of the original Roman town. As you wander through the ruins, you’ll spot stone-paved ancient streets, a forum (basically the city’s main square), shops, temples, and even a Roman public bath complex.

The site feels real, not staged – no fake walls or plastic columns – just honest-to-goodness ruins and carefully restored buildings. The museum itself is packed with fascinating objects: pottery, jewelry, weapons, coins, and statues. And then there’s the star of the show…

The Aquincum Organ

In 228 AD a Roman official named Gaius Iulius Viatorinus gifted a portable organ to the local textile workers’ guild. This wasn’t a piano-like organ – it was a small instrument with 52 pipes, made of wood, metal and leather, and could be carried by hand. During a fire in the 3rd century, the organ fell into a cellar and was buried by rubble. That accident preserved it for over 1,700 years.

When archaeologists found the ruins of the guild’s building in 1931, they uncovered almost 400 pieces of the organ. Some were lost in World War II, but the rest were restored. It’s one of the oldest known examples of this kind of instrument in the world. Today, you can see it (and even hear a replica) at the museum.

Permanent exhibitions that bring the past to life

The museum is home to several standout exhibitions that make history feel real and personal.

Rome in Aquincum

This exhibit is packed with treasures: colorful wall paintings, detailed mosaics, marble statues, and everyday items like glassware and jewelry. One of the most awe-inspiring sights is the reconstructed Aquincum organ – a Roman musical instrument over 1,700 years old.

Mithras in Aquincum

This exhibit dives into the mysterious cult of Mithras, popular among Roman soldiers. You’ll visit a recreated underground sanctuary, the Mithraeum, where followers worshipped in secret. It’s dark, intimate and filled with ancient energy.

Tegularium – The Brickwork of Empire

Ever wonder how Rome built its cities? This exhibit explains how bricks and ceramic tiles shaped everything from houses to aqueducts. You’ll even learn how archaeologists use brick stamps to date buildings and track military movements.

Festőház – A Roman Home

A reconstructed Roman house shows how wealthy citizens lived. You can walk through painted rooms, check out the kitchen, and peek into the basement wine cellar. It’s a rare, hands-on glimpse into ancient domestic life.

Látványraktár (Visible Storage)

This open-storage exhibit showcases 1,400 objects from Budapest’s ancient past – from tools and coins to weapons and sculptures. It’s like stepping into an archaeologist’s treasure room.

In the shadow of the Roman eagle

This is one of the newest exhibitions. It brings the life of Roman soldiers into focus – with weapons, armor and reconstructed interiors of army barracks and bathhouses. There’s even a VR section that lets you step into a Roman outpost or walk a legion’s main street.

And it’s not just for adults – there are interactive games, puzzles and dress-up areas for kids. Build a Roman tower with blocks, play ancient board games, or follow the path of a little bronze eagle to learn fun facts about Roman military life.

Other Roman gems around Budapest

Aquincum isn’t the only place where Rome left its mark. Budapest is dotted with other Roman treasures too:

Thermae Maiores (Bath Museum): one of the first Roman sites excavated in Budapest. This massive military bath complex had cold and hot pools, steam rooms and a gym.

Hercules Villa: a luxurious Roman mansion with jaw-dropping mosaic floors. One shows a drunk Hercules being carried home after a party. It’s funny, vivid and beautifully preserved.

Táborvárosi Museum: displays ancient guesthouses and private homes. You can still see wall paintings, underfloor heating systems and even an ancient Roman toilet.

Aquincum is a slice of history frozen in time. You get to walk where Roman citizens lived, worked, and relaxed. You hear their music. You see their homes. You connect with a world that’s long gone – but not forgotten.

So if you’re in Budapest, ditch the tourist traps for a few hours. Take a ride up to Óbuda and let Aquincum show you how alive the past can feel.

• Official website: aquincum.hu
• Address:
  • Aquincum Museum and Archaeological Park: 1031 Budapest, Szentendrei út 135
  • Thermae Maiores (Bath Museum): 1033 Budapest, Flórián square underpass
  • Hercules Villa: 1033 Budapest, Meggyfa utca 21.
  • Táborvárosi Museum: 1036 Budapest, Pacsirtamező u. 65.
• How to get there:
  • Aquincum Museum and Archaeological Park: train S76, Z72 – Aquincum station; HÉV (suburban railway) – Line H5, Kaszásdűlő or Aquincum stop; buses 34, 106, and 134 – Záhony Street stop; the museum’s parking lot is accessible only through the gate on Záhony Street.
  • Thermae Maiores (Bath Museum): buses 9, 34, 106, 109, 111, 134 and tram 1 – Flórián square stop
  • Hercules Villa: buses 34, 134, 106, 9, 109 – Bogdáni Road stop / bus terminal
  • Táborvárosi Museum: buses 9, 109 and 111 – Kiscelli str. stop; tram 1 – Flórián square stop