Principia Museum in Alba Iulia

The Principia Museum in Piața Cetății, in Alba Iulia, protects part of the headquarters of the Roman fort Apulum. This is where the leadership of the Thirteenth Gemina Legion was active. The museum arrangement allows the vestiges to be observed in the place where they were discovered, under a protective construction. The ruins represent only a part of the old headquarters, which also continues under the nearby buildings and streets.

Inside are preserved rooms, portions of the floor and elements of the Roman floor heating installation, called the hypocaust. The circuit explains the use of the premises for the treasury of the legion and for the work of the officers. Stone monuments, including statues and altars, are displayed in the courtyard. The museum thus presents the organization of the Roman garrison that preceded the medieval and modern fortresses of Alba Iulia.

Photo: Unknown author; Visit Alba. Photo source. Proportional resizing and cropping to 650 × 400 px.