Noviodunum: A Historic Roman and Medieval Fortress on the Danube in Romania
Visitor Information
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Official Website: www.noviodunum.ro
Country: Romania
Civilization: Byzantine, Roman
Remains: Military
History
Cetatea Noviodunum is located near present-day Isaccea in Romania, on the lower Danube River. Originally, it was a settlement of the Getae, an ancient Thracian people. After the Roman Empire annexed the Dobrogea region under Emperor Vespasian between 69 and 79 AD, Noviodunum became part of the Roman province of Moesia Inferior. It served as the main base for the Roman Danube fleet known as Classis Flavia Moesica.
From at least 46 AD, Noviodunum functioned as a strategic fortress and naval port guarding the Danube frontier, known as the Moesian Limes. The Imperial Road from Marcianopolis ended here, linking the site to the wider Roman road network. By the late 2nd century AD, Noviodunum was elevated to municipium status, granting it self-governing privileges and reflecting its growing administrative importance within the empire.
The city faced destruction during the 3rd century amid invasions by Gothic and Herulian tribes. It was later rebuilt under Emperor Constantine the Great in the 4th century, who reinforced its fortifications. Between 434 and 441 AD, the site was occupied by the Huns before returning to Byzantine control. Despite these upheavals, Noviodunum remained inhabited through the Byzantine period and into the medieval era.
In the 11th century, the settlement experienced a period of prosperity but suffered repeated attacks from nomadic groups such as the Pechenegs, Uzes, and Cumans. In 1242, the Tatars also raided the area. The site continued to be occupied until the early 15th century, when the Ottoman Empire conquered the region, marking the end of Noviodunum’s long history as a fortified settlement.
Ancient writers including Ptolemy, Ammianus Marcellinus, Procopius, Jordanes, and Constantine Porphyrogenitus mention Noviodunum, underscoring its strategic and economic significance along the Danube over many centuries.
Remains
The archaeological site of Noviodunum covers about nine hectares and is divided into two main parts: the military headquarters of the Danube fleet and a walled city dating from the late 2nd century AD. Beyond the stone walls, the civilian settlement is enclosed by three large earth ramparts measuring roughly 350 by 250 meters, accompanied by defensive ditches. Necropoleis, or burial grounds, extend 4 to 5 kilometers from the fortress, indicating a large surrounding community.
The northern defensive wall is approximately three meters thick and features at least seven semicircular towers on its exterior. Two of these towers flank a gate or port area. Excavations in the 1990s uncovered three towers along the southern curtain wall, including one of the largest Roman towers known, a fan-shaped corner tower, and a U-shaped tower. These towers are connected by an 80-meter-long wall segment. Archaeological evidence shows three construction phases of the fortifications, beginning with earth ramparts and ditches from the 1st century AD, likely representing the original Roman military camp or castrum.
Inside the fortifications, remains of important public buildings have been found. These include two thermae, which are Roman public baths, a basilica used for administrative or religious purposes, and various residential structures. Along the Danube shore, ruins stretch about 300 meters in length and 15 to 20 meters in width, representing the northern part of the ancient city and its port facilities.
The necropolis contains numerous tumuli, or burial mounds, including the notable Kurgan-Vizir mound. This mound has a circumference of 400 meters, rises 73 meters high, and features steep slopes between 75 and 90 degrees. It aligns with ancient radial roads that connected the fortress to the surrounding hinterland.
Excavations have uncovered thousands of artifacts such as coins, seals, jewelry, cult objects, weapons, harness fittings, tools, and a wide variety of local and imported ceramics. These finds illustrate the site’s long-term occupation and economic activity.
The southern enclosure and areas within the walls contain thick archaeological layers, two to three meters deep, dating from the 10th to 15th centuries. Multiple construction phases of medieval towers, including Turnul Mare, Turnul de Colt, and Turnul A, have been identified. These areas yielded abundant medieval artifacts, showing continued use and modification of the site through the Middle Ages.
