29 May 2025 The Future is the Product of the Past

Mystery of the ‘Deserted Castle’ Unraveled: Austria’s First Roman Bridgehead Fort Discovered

Researchers have identified the first confirmed Roman bridgehead fort in Austria, located near Stopfenreuth on the Lower Austrian Danube floodplains. This significant find, led by the Austrian Academy of Sciences (ÖAW) and the Carnuntum Archaeological Park, sheds new light on the Roman Empire’s northern defense strategies and its control over vital trade routes, including the renowned Amber Road.

Historically known as the “Ödes Schloss” or “Deserted Castle,” the site had long puzzled historians, who speculated whether it was a medieval fortress or a remnant of the 16th-century conflicts with the Ottoman Empire. However, recent excavations have definitively established its identity as a Roman bridgehead fort, strategically positioned to oversee and facilitate the movement of people and goods across the Danube—a natural boundary of the empire and a crucial segment of the Danube Limes, now recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Bridgehead forts were typically constructed on the far side of border rivers, serving as military outposts from which Roman troops could monitor and control strategic areas. The fort near Stopfenreuth was built in two major phases: the first, around 170-180 CE during the Marcomannic Wars under Emperor Marcus Aurelius, aimed to fortify the Roman border against Germanic invasions. The second phase, around 260 CE under Emperor Gallienus, involved renovations that marked the fort’s last military use as Carnuntum’s significance began to wane.

Excavations have revealed remarkably well-preserved wall sections, some reaching heights of 2.65 meters. Artifacts unearthed at the site include stamped bricks from Legio XIV and Legio XV Apollinaris—legions known to have been stationed at the nearby stronghold of Carnuntum—alongside coins, ceramics, and bronze objects. These findings underscore the military importance of the region and provide fresh insights into the Roman military system’s northern defenses.

Visualisation of the excavations at the bridgehead fort in Stopfenreuth. Credit: H. Wraunek, Province of Lower Austria
Visualisation of the excavations at the bridgehead fort in Stopfenreuth. Credit: H. Wraunek, Province of Lower Austria

The discovery of the Stopfenreuth bridge fort not only alters our understanding of Roman presence north of the Danube but also highlights the strategic significance of Carnuntum, which served as the capital of the Roman province Pannonia Superior.

Archaeologist Christian Gugl noted, “For a long time, it remained uncertain whether there had ever been a substantial Roman presence on this section of the north bank of the Danube. The discovery of additional stone forts—some evidently garrisoned by large military units—significantly reshapes our perception of the Roman Limes.”

Beyond its historical implications, the excavation contributes to environmental and geological research. Collaborating with BOKU University and the University of Vienna, archaeologists collected sediment samples from the Danube floodplain, aiding scientists in reconstructing ancient river patterns prior to the 16th century. This research offers a clearer understanding of how the Danube evolved over the centuries and how these changes influenced settlement and fortification strategies.

Stamped bricks from legionary units XIV and XV, found near Carnuntum at the Roman bridgehead fort Stopfenreuth. Credit:  Austrian Archaeological Institute
Stamped bricks from legionary units XIV and XV, found near Carnuntum at the Roman bridgehead fort Stopfenreuth. Credit: Austrian Archaeological Institute

As the excavation phase concludes, the ongoing scientific research promises to unveil even more about the Roman Empire’s legacy in Austria, enriching our understanding of its military, economic, and environmental history.

The Stopfenreuth bridgehead fort stands as a testament to the enduring impact of Roman engineering and strategy, inviting further exploration into the depths of Austria’s ancient past.

Austrian Archaeological Institute (ÖAI)

Cover Image Credit: Aerial view of the excavation in the Hainburger Au (near Stopfenreuth) on one of the Danube tributaries in the Donauauen National Park. Credit: H. Wraunek, Province of Lower Austria

Related Articles

Egypt Traces Relics of Ramses III to the Arabian Peninsula

7 June 2021

7 June 2021

Following various findings showing ancient Egyptian King Ramses III had a presence on the Arabian Peninsula, an Egyptian archaeological team...

A Gold Mourning Ring Found on The Isle of Man

21 April 2021

21 April 2021

The ring found with a metal detector on the Isle of Man in December 2020 will be exhibited in the...

China’s ancient water pipes show people mastered complex engineering 4,000 years ago without the need for a centralized state authority

16 August 2023

16 August 2023

A system of ancient ceramic water pipes, the oldest ever unearthed in China, shows that neolithic people were capable of...

Archaeologists Discovered Submerged Stoa Complex in Ancient Salamis, Greece

27 October 2023

27 October 2023

Archaeologists exploring the east coast of Salamis, the largest Greek island in the Saronic Gulf, discovered a large, long, and...

1,500-Year-Old Stained Glass and Mosaics Discovered at Harran Cathedral Excavation in Türkiye

7 February 2025

7 February 2025

Recent excavations at the historic Harran archaeological site, which is included on UNESCO’s World Heritage Tentative List, have yielded rare...

Thracian Horseman Votive Tablet Discovered in Bulgaria

28 July 2023

28 July 2023

A stone votive relief depicting a Thracian horseman was found during excavations at the ancient city of Heraclea Sintica, located...

The Oldest and Most Unique Example of the ‘Etrarchic Embracement Motif’ is on Display for the First Time

19 September 2024

19 September 2024

A relief depicting two Roman emperors’ embrace of Diocletian and Maximian during a ceremonial event, each other welcomes visitors for...

Gold coin hoard discovered in a cup beneath a North Yorkshire kitchen floor is being auctioned off

7 September 2022

7 September 2022

A couple in North Yorkshire found an early 18th-century gold coin hoard buried under the floorboards of their kitchen. The...

Medieval Moat and Bridge Discovered Protecting Farmhouse in England

14 March 2024

14 March 2024

Cotswold Archaeology’s excavations in Tewkesbury, a historic riverside town north of Gloucestershire, England, have revealed a medieval moat and bridge...

7,000 years ago the earliest evidence for the cultivation of a fruit tree came from the Jordan valley

17 June 2022

17 June 2022

Tel Aviv University and Jerusalem’s Hebrew University researchers have unraveled the earliest evidence for the domestication of a fruit tree....

An archaeological dig at Govan Old Churchyard revealed a remarkable new find: an early medieval ‘Govan Warrior’ stone

19 September 2023

19 September 2023

An archaeological excavation in the churchyard at Govan Old Parish Church in Glasgow, a port city on the River Clyde...

Archaeologists Unearth Carolingian Silver Treasure Hoard

6 May 2021

6 May 2021

A silver treasure hoard from the 9th century AD has been discovered in Poland‘s Osa and Drwęca basin. The hoard...

The Oldest Semicircular Classroom in the Greek World Unearthed in Sicily

21 April 2025

21 April 2025

In a remarkable archaeological breakthrough in southern Sicily, an international team of researchers has uncovered an extraordinary ancient classroom that...

Refurbishment at the Uffizi Gallery Revealed a Pair of Priceless Lost Renaissance Frescoes

24 April 2021

24 April 2021

A couple of construction workers discovered two Renaissance-era treasures while working on an extensive renovation project at Florence’s world-famous Uffizi...

Archaeologists unearthed fresh evidence that bedbugs came to Britain with the Romans

3 February 2024

3 February 2024

Archaeologists working the Roman garrison site of Vindolanda in Northumberland, south of Hadrian’s Wall, have discovered new proof that the...