Fort Osterburken - Frontiers of the Roman Empire
Osterburken, Germany
06.04.2017
Kastell Osterburken is an impressive archaeological site located in the town of Osterburken, Germany. This ancient Roman fortification dates back to the 2nd century AD and is a significant landmark in the region.
The Kastell, which means "castle" in German, was built as a military base to protect the Limes Germanicus, the northern border of the Roman Empire. It served as a strategic stronghold for the Roman army and was one of the largest forts along the Limes.
The remains of the fortification cover an area of approximately 3.5 hectares and include the main gate, barracks, granaries, and a large amphitheater. The walls of the Kastell were originally made of wood and earth, but were later replaced with stone in the 3rd century.
Visitors to Kastell Osterburken can explore the site and get a glimpse into the daily life of Roman soldiers. The barracks and granaries have been reconstructed, giving visitors a sense of how the soldiers lived and worked. The amphitheater, which could hold up to 2,000 spectators, is still used for events and performances today.
In addition to the fortification, the site also includes a museum with a collection of artifacts found during excavations. These artifacts provide insight into the daily life and customs of the Roman soldiers who once occupied the Kastell.
Kastell Osterburken is not only a fascinating historical site but also a beautiful natural area. The fortification is surrounded by lush greenery and offers stunning views of the surrounding countryside. It is a popular destination for nature lovers, history enthusiasts, and families looking for a unique and educational experience.
Guided tours are available for those who want to learn more about the history and significance of the Kastell. The site also hosts various events throughout the year, such as reenactments, festivals, and workshops, bringing the Roman era to life for visitors.
In conclusion, Kastell Osterburken is a must-visit for anyone interested in ancient history and Roman culture. With its well-preserved remains, informative museum, and scenic surroundings, it offers a one-of-a-kind experience that will leave a lasting impression on all who visit.
The ‘Roman Limes’ represents the border line of the Roman Empire at its greatest extent in the 2nd century AD. It stretched over 5,000 km from the Atlantic coast of northern Britain, through Europe to the Black Sea, and from there to the Red Sea and across North Africa to the Atlantic coast. The remains of the Limes today consist of vestiges of built walls, ditches, forts, fortresses, watchtowers and civilian settlements. Certain elements of the line have been excavated, some reconstructed and a few destroyed. The two sections of the Limes in Germany cover a length of 550 km from the north-west of the country to the Danube in the south-east. The 118-km-long Hadrian’s Wall (UK) was built on the orders of the Emperor Hadrian c. AD 122 at the northernmost limits of the Roman province of Britannia. It is a striking example of the organization of a military zone and illustrates the defensive techniques and geopolitical strategies of ancient Rome. The Antonine Wall, a 60-km long fortification in Scotland was started by Emperor Antonius Pius in 142 AD as a defense against the “barbarians” of the north. It constitutes the northwestern-most portion of the Roman Limes.
The Upper Germanic-Rhaetian Limes (German: Obergermanisch-Raetischer Limes), or ORL, is a 550-kilometre-long section of the former external frontier of the Roman Empire between the rivers Rhine and Danube. It runs from Rheinbrohl to Eining on the Danube. The Upper Germanic-Rhaetian Limes is an archaeological site and, since 2005, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Together with the Lower Germanic Limes it forms part of the Limes Germanicus.
The Limes used either a natural boundary such as a river or typically an earth bank and ditch with a wooden palisade and watchtowers at intervals. A system of linked forts was built behind the Limes.
Hadrian's Wall (Latin: Vallum Hadriani, also known as the Roman Wall, Picts' Wall, or Vallum Aelium in Latin) is a former defensive fortification of the Roman province of Britannia, begun in AD 122 in the reign of the Emperor Hadrian. Running from Wallsend on the River Tyne in the east to Bowness-on-Solway in the west of what is now northern England, it was a stone wall with large ditches in front of it and behind it that crossed the whole width of the island. Soldiers were garrisoned along the line of the wall in large forts, smaller milecastles, and intervening turrets. In addition to the wall's defensive military role, its gates may have been customs posts.
Hadrian's Wall Path generally runs very close to the wall. Almost all of the standing masonry of the wall was removed in early modern times and used for local roads and farmhouses. None of it stands to its original height, but modern work has exposed much of the footings, and some segments display a few courses of modern masonry reconstruction. Many of the excavated forts on or near the wall are open to the public, and various nearby museums present its history. The largest Roman archaeological feature in Britain, it runs a total of 73 miles (117.5 kilometres) in northern England. Regarded as a British cultural icon, Hadrian's Wall is one of Britain's major ancient tourist attractions. It was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. The turf-built Antonine Wall in what is now central Scotland, which briefly superseded Hadrian's Wall before being abandoned, was declared a World Heritage Site in 2008.Hadrian's Wall marked the boundary between Roman Britannia and unconquered Caledonia to the north. The wall lies entirely within England and has never formed the Anglo-Scottish border, though it is sometimes loosely or colloquially described as being such.
