idge fort near Stopfenreuth occurred between 170 and 180 CE during the Marcomannic Wars. This period was marked by conflict along the Danube frontier between the Roman Empire to the south and Germanic tribes to the north. A second phase of construction occurred under Emperor Gallienus around 260 CE, when he reinforced the frontier defenses.
The Ödes Schloss site is situated near Stopfenreuth, along the shores of a Danube tributary. Locally known as the "Deserted Castle," its true purpose had long been a mystery, with interpretations suggesting it was a medieval castle or a fortification used during the First Turkish War. Recent excavations finally solved this enigma, revealing its Roman origins.
"We now need to broaden our overall understanding to include the Stopfenreuth region," said Christian Gugl of the Austrian Archaeological Institute (ÖAI) of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (ÖAW), emphasizing the strategic importance of the area along the Danube's north bank.
The stamped bricks bearing the markings of Legio XIV and Legio XV Apollinaris indicate that these legions were stationed at different periods at Carnuntum and in Pannonia. Carnuntum later developed into a Roman city and the capital of the Pannonia Superior province, underscoring its role in the Roman military system.
The discovery of the fortress reshapes perceptions of the Roman Limes, the frontier boundary of the Roman Empire. It testifies to the strategic importance of the region and underscores Carnuntum's role in the Roman military system.
It is believed that the Amber Road, a trade route connecting the Roman Empire with the Baltic region, crossed the Danube at the Ödes Schloss site. Therefore, the fortress would have been carefully defended to secure the trade corridor.
Bridgehead forts like the one near Stopfenreuth also served as forward bases for launching military campaigns by the expanding Roman Empire. In antiquity, crossing a river was not easy, as rivers were often much wilder and untamed than today, making them strategic points that had to be guarded by border troops.
The Roman bridgehead fort near Stopfenreuth is the first of its kind discovered in Austria, and researchers managed to uncover the ruins of an entire fortress. This find contributes to our understanding of Roman military architecture and frontier defense strategies.
Despite advances in excavation and dating techniques, some sites remain enigmas. The "Deserted Castle" was one such enigma, but thanks to recent research by the Austrian Academy of Sciences (ÖAW) and the Carnuntum Archaeological Park, the mystery was solved.
The article was written with the assistance of a news analysis system.