The Ancient Gerulata Exhibition guides you through the development of the camp during the first four centuries, when the Roman military fort of Gerulata was established in what is now the Bratislava-Rusovce district.

Bratislava City Museum (MMB) – Ancient Gerulata Rusovce – UNESCO Site

Located on the northern frontier of the Roman Empire, Gerulata was a fortified point on the Roman border known as the Limes Romanus. The first section of the Limes, Hadrian’s Wall in Great Britain, was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1987. On July 30, 2021, the Danube Limes – Western Segment was added to this prestigious list, alongside monuments in Germany and Austria, marking Slovakia’s eighth UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Ancient Gerulata exhibition offers insight into the daily life of Roman soldiers, as well as the social structure and activities of civilian settlers and the broader rural surroundings, including villas and rustic settlements. Visitors can explore artifacts from a house with a hypocaust (underfloor heating system), a remarkable Roman-era technical achievement.

Through objects of material culture unearthed from seven Roman cemeteries and more than 40 original epigraphic monuments, the exhibition reveals how the inhabitants of Gerulata lived, fought, worshipped, dressed, entertained themselves, and cared for their appearance.

A highlight of the new exhibition is a collection of stone artworks. The exhibited items come from archaeological research that has taken place at the site since the early 1960s. Outdoors, visitors can also view architectural foundations of the Roman fort (castellum).

Much of the preservation and development of the site is credited to archaeologist Jaroslava Schmidtová, who has worked at the Bratislava City Museum since 1988. In recognition of her lifelong contribution to the archaeological research of Gerulata and her significant role in securing its UNESCO inscription, she received the Bratislava Mayor’s Award.

The interior revitalization of the Gerulata exhibition was done in collaboration with the prestigious Crafting Plastics Studio, known for using high-quality, environmentally responsible materials. This approach is reflected in the exhibition furniture, made from wood and stone, harmonizing with the architecture of the original building from the late 1970s and early 1980s.

The new exhibition and furnishings are part of a broader modernization of the Gerulata Roman fort complex. Landscaping improvements are planned throughout the year, and by the end of 2022, the exhibition will feature interactive and digital elements, including a virtual model of the entire military camp and nearby civilian settlements.