Heidentor
Watercolour sketch
©2014 Charlene Brown
This triumphal arch was
built in the 4th century CE and was heavily damaged later that same
century. An up-ended part of the top of the arch remains by the ruin – the only
significant structure left standing when Carnuntum was abandoned.
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As the years went by it remained
as an isolated monument in a natural landscape which led medieval people to
believe it was the tomb of a pagan giant. Hence, they called it Heidentor
(pagan gate).
Now, it is surrounded by crops and the ubiquitous
wind turbines that dot the plains of Lower Austria .
The crop on the right was only a few inches high when we were there, but the
plants looked pretty much like they were going to be sunflowers so I added them
to the sketch.
The wildflowers that were
actually blooming in the area looked like this.
