Gurina

The famous reputation that the settlement on the Gurina has in the archaeological world is primarily due to the remarkable finds that have been made here since the middle of the last century. Votive plates with Venetic script, which are among the oldest in Austria, as well as bronze statuettes (Hercules!) point to a pre-Roman sanctuary. Excavation history: While from the mid-19th century onwards there were initially illicit excavations, whose finds are unfortunately largely scattered around the world or lost, the first systematic excavations began with A.B. Meyer in 1884. These were continued between 1885 and 1887 on behalf of the Anthropological Society in Vienna. Already during the last excavations, no attractive finds came to light, but many questions about the Gurina settlement remained open. In 1994, part of a pre-Roman defensive wall was uncovered and several small Hallstatt-period tumuli were investigated. Since 2004, a team led by Dr. Peter Gamper has been excavating on the Gurina during the summer months. The Gurina is freely accessible all year round, as is the Hercules Temple. Should it be locked, the key can be obtained from the farm below (Fam. Robatsch, Tel.: 04718/632). The book "Die Gurina" by Dr. Peter Gamper is also available there (price € 15,-).