Roman City Noreia (Noricum)

The settlement on Magdalensberg began in the first century BC and lasted until the middle of the first century AD. The Celtic Norici had already settled in the region in the third century BC, benefiting from iron deposits. Around the mid-first century BC, Roman traders established themselves here, founding a market, possibly due to its proximity to the Noric royal seat or a summit sanctuary. The settlement flourished, marked by the construction of a forum, tabernae, and a basilica. Following the peaceful integration of Noricum into the Roman Empire around 16/15 BC, the city became the political center of the Roman Eastern Alps. Extensive construction followed, including the erection of a praetorium and a podium temple. However, the settlement was rapidly abandoned when the new Roman city of Virunum was founded on the Zollfeld.

The Roman city of Noreia was located on Magdalensberg in the municipality of Magdalensberg, in the district of Klagenfurt Land, Carinthia, Austria. It was situated at an elevation of approximately 934 m above sea level.