Limes Germanicus - WP 9/23
N 49° 01.864 E 009° 34.840
32U E 542444 N 5431071
Roman watchtower along the Upper Germanic Limes border near the Southwest German village of Grab.
Waymark Code: WMYXG
Location: Baden-Württemberg, Germany
Date Posted: 11/18/2006
Views: 69
The Limes Germanicus (Latin for Germanic frontier) was a remarkable line of frontier forts that bounded the ancient Roman provinces of Germania Superior and Raetia, and divided the Roman Empire and the unsubdued Germanic tribes, from the years 83 to 260. At its height, the limes stretched from near Bonn on the Rhine to near Regensburg on the Danube.
Watchtowers were constructed at intervals along the frontier. The watchtowers have all been given unique identifiers starting with the letters WP (Wachtposte in German) followed by a number series.
Tower 9/83 is the first reconstructed stone Limes watchtower to be opened to the public in the state of Baden-Württemberg. The reconstruction was based on archeological findings.
As protection against attacks from enemies or animals, the towers had no entrance on the ground floor. The only way to enter the tower was to climb a mobile ladder to the first floor. This ladder could be pulled up quickly in case of danger. For safety purposes, the reconstructed tower was built with stairs giving access to the entrance.
The palisade served as a barrier against outsiders, as did the walls and ditches that were built later. The section of the wall north of the tower has been destroyed by an old stone quarry.
WP 9/83 was built on the second highest point along the Limes, which was a big strategic advantage.
The tower is normally locked but you can get a key at the "Verwaltungsstelle Grab", in the Weinstube Rössle, in the Gaststätte Löwen in Grab, as well as in the Gasthof Waldblick in Trauzenbach.
Most Relevant Historical Period: Roman Empire > 27 B.C.
Admission Fee: Free
Opening days/times:
24/7
Web Site: [Web Link]
Condition: Completely intact or reconstructed
|
Visit Instructions:
A complete sentence or two or an uploaded photo taken by the waymarker will be required in the log to confirm that the logger is participating in the hobby in good faith. Logs of only a few words like "Visited it" without an original photo are subject to deletion.