Castra Drobeta, Roman military fortress in Drobeta-Turnu Severin, Romania.
Castra Drobeta is a Roman military fortress in Mehedinți County built as a rectangular compound with massive stone walls and inner courtyards. The site reveals systematically organized barracks, storage facilities, and administrative buildings that structured daily military operations.
Emperor Trajan ordered its construction between 103 and 105 AD to secure the northern side of his bridge spanning the Danube. The fortress played a key role in Roman control of the Danube frontier during the Dacian Wars.
This served as a working garrison where soldiers stationed here maintained order over the river crossing and conducted daily military duties. The legionaries followed strict routines that shaped their lives around training, equipment maintenance, and protection of the emperor's bridge.
The archaeological site lies near the town of Drobeta-Turnu Severin and is relatively easy to reach with ample space to explore the excavated areas. Visitors should wear sturdy footwear since the ancient stone structures are uneven and can become slippery in wet conditions.
The fortress departs from typical Roman military design by orienting its main gate southward toward the river rather than eastward. This unusual positioning shows how Romans adapted their layouts to the specific geographic conditions of each location.
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