One of the largest Roman soldiers’ and citizen town, legio camp excavated in Hungary – PHOTOS
Brigetio, a former Roman town and legionary camp, was located beneath what is now Komárom-Szőny on the flood-free terraces of the right bank of the River Danube. Excavations have been ongoing there since 1992, providing extensive insight into this Roman settlement. Over the past few decades, generations of Hungarian archaeologists have honed their skills here. The town was considered unique within the Roman Empire.
A gem of the Roman world
Máté Vincze, Deputy State Secretary for Public Collections and Cultural Development, noted that Brigetio was truly unique in the Roman Empire. Only four or five similar soldier and civilian towns from the Roman era are known to have survived, making Brigetio particularly exceptional. The excavations reveal that this Roman town, beneath today’s Komárom, was a true gem of the Empire.
Interestingly, the Roman Emperor Valentinian I died in the legionary fortress on 17th November 375 AD, and his son was proclaimed emperor there.
The Excavation of the Roman city and fort started more than 30 years ago.
A multicultural town with baths, amphitheatre, and thousands of residents
Lelépő reports that Brigetio was a multicultural settlement with a population of 15-20 thousand, situated at the border of the Roman world. Historians believe that many traders resided here as significant trade routes converged in the town, and the Limes Road passed through it. The ancient Brigetio consisted of three distinct districts: the military camp, the civilian town, and the legionary base.
In the last four years, archaeologists have excavated the military bathing complex, the largest building within the legionary camp. It spanned an impressive 6-7 thousand square metres. Below, you can see some photographs of the remains, including the ruins of the hypocaust system:
Here is a photo and video illustrating how the Roman hypocaust, an early form of central heating, operated:
The Roman army was stationed in Brigetio for more than 300 years. Two legions were based there: Legio XI Claudia and Legio I Adiutrix, the latter of which withdrew from the province in the 430s AD.
You can learn more about Brigetio and the Brigetio Heritage Archaeological Exhibition on the local museum’s website HERE.
Read also:
- Extraordinary findings: Traces of Roman settlement uncovered in Hungary – PHOTOS and more in THIS article
- Huge discovery: Medieval sword found in the Danube near Budapest