!!!Virunum

Virunum, Carinthia, capital of the Roman province of  Noricum, founded 
by the Romans around 50 A.D. as "municipium Claudium 
Virunum" at the centre of the  Zollfeld Plain, extended over the 
western slope of Toeltschach mountain and the first shore terrace on 
the eastern border of the River Glan (not located until the 
19%%sup th/%  century). Following the foundation of Virunum, the land 
enjoyed peace for 200 years, and after the division of the province 
under Diocletian (284-305), Virunum was made the capital of Noricum 
mediterraneum. Virinum started to decline in the 5%%sup th/%  century, 
and it was finally destroyed by the Avars and Slavs in the late 
6%%sup th/%  century. In the 17%%sup th/%  century, D.  Prunner von 
Sonnenfeld started excavations on a site of around 1 km%%sup 2/% 
and discovered the "Prunner cross", which today stands as a 
landmark in the centre of Virunum. Professional excavations were 
carried out in the late 19%%sup th/%  century. The following sites 
were unearthed: forum with capitol, residential district (1911), 
temple site, Austria´s only Roman stage theatre (1927), 
sculptures by the "Master of Virunum" (around 140 A.D.), 
some 400 stones with inscriptions. Remains of a church on Grazerkogel 
mountain and 2 pilaster capitals (parts of the Prunner cross) bear 
witness to Virunum´s position as an early Christian 
bishop´s residence. Most of the finds are exhibited in the 
Carinthian provincial museum. Excavations resumed in 1992.

!Literature
C. Praschniker and H. Kenner, Der Baederbezirk von 
Virunum, 1949; Fuehrer durch das Landesmuseum fuer Kaernten, 1953; G. 
Piccottini, Die Roemer in Kaernten, 1989; idem, Mithrastempel in 
Virunum, 1994.


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