Enns

Enns holds a town charter of 1212, the oldest in Austria, and it stands on much older ground: Lauriacum, a legionary fortress and civil settlement of some size on the Danube limes, lay here, and the excavated material fills the town museum - including evidence of the early Christian community and of Florian, the Roman official martyred nearby who became the patron saint against fire. The town square is dominated by the Stadtturm, a free-standing Renaissance tower of 1568 about sixty metres high, built as a watchtower and climbable. Around it are arcaded houses, the Basilika St Laurenz built over layers of Roman and early medieval buildings that are excavated and visible beneath it, and a section of town wall. The Danube limes is inscribed by UNESCO.

What you actually see

• A 1212 town charter - the oldest in Austria, on the square that dates from it.
• The Stadtturm - the free-standing 1568 watchtower, sixty metres, climbable.
• Roman Lauriacum - the legionary site excavated and shown in the museum.
• Excavations under the basilica - Roman and early medieval layers open beneath the floor.

When to go

April to October; the tower and museum are seasonal. Half a day.

Honest expectations

The tower and museum keep seasonal hours and close Mondays. The Roman remains are largely below ground or in cases, not standing. The town is small - half a day is enough.

Nearby

Mauthausen is across the Danube; Linz is west; Steyr is south.