Kleinkastell Robern, Roman fort ruins in Fahrenbach, Germany
Kleinkastell Robern is a Roman military fort with sides measuring about 20 by 21 meters and rounded corners built entirely from red sandstone, featuring walls approximately one meter thick. The main gateway on the eastern side spans nearly 3 meters wide, and the entire structure occupies a hillside location in a region of scattered settlements.
The fort was established during Emperor Trajan's reign and remained active until around 159 CE as a frontier outpost. Its location along the Neckar-Odenwald defensive line made it a crucial checkpoint in the empire's protection strategy.
The fort served as a watchtower within a dense network of military posts that stretched across the frontier. The interior arrangement of structures reveals how soldiers lived and worked in this remote garrison settlement.
The site is accessible by foot from nearby villages but lies away from main roads, requiring some hiking to reach. The terrain is hilly and can become muddy after rain, so sturdy shoes and weather-appropriate clothing are recommended.
Excavations in the 1890s by the Reich Limes Commission revealed that soldiers lived in wooden buildings rather than stone structures. These timber constructions left almost no trace except for fragments of clay and ash buried in the soil.
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