Castra Ad Fines, Roman military fort in Pfyn, Switzerland.
Castra Ad Fines is a Roman fort positioned on a hillside overlooking the Thur river, encompassing a large area that once housed soldiers and administrative structures. Portions of the original northern walls and western fortifications remain visible today, showing how the builders constructed this military installation.
The fort was established to control the border between two Roman provinces and operated as a crucial outpost for centuries. It was abandoned after 400 CE as power structures shifted and Roman control in the region weakened.
The site served as a meeting point for people and goods from across the Roman empire, with everyday items telling stories of distant connections. Walking around today, you notice how trade goods scattered here reveal the routes that once linked this outpost to far-off regions.
The grounds are open for exploration, and you get the best overview by walking to the upper parts of the hillside site. A nearby museum in Pfyn displays artifacts from excavations and helps you understand daily life at this outpost.
Among thousands of objects discovered, archaeologists found containers from distant Mediterranean regions, proving this remote frontier post received goods from Spain, Palestine, and North Africa. These transport vessels reveal how connected this small outpost was to trade routes spanning thousands of kilometers.
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