Upper Germanic-Rhaetian Limes

The Upper Germanic-Rhaetian Limes is the Roman Empire’s frontier system across what is now Germany, composed of forts, watchtowers and boundary works established along roughly 550 kilometres of frontier. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site notable for the density of surviving archaeological remains and reconstructed sites.

Large exposed sections, excavated forts and several reconstructed sites are open to the public; highlights include museum displays, reconstructed timber-and-earth fortifications and visible tower bases. Many stretches are accessible by marked hiking and cycling routes and several museums interpret finds such as weapons, pottery and building timbers. Saalburg is the most visited reconstructed fort and includes a visitor centre with exhibits covering Roman military life.

Construction of the Limes began in the late 1st century AD and the line was consolidated during the 2nd and early 3rd centuries AD as the Roman frontier in this region. The frontier function declined in late antiquity as political and military control changed, leaving ruins that were later excavated from the 19th century onward and partially reconstructed for public display.

Geographically the Limes traverses low hills and river valleys across southwestern and central Germany, crossing the modern states of Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria and Hesse among others. Many of the best-known sites lie within day-trip distance of cities such as Frankfurt and Stuttgart.

• UNESCO status: Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2005.
• Scale and remains: The frontier runs for roughly 550 kilometres across modern Germany and includes hundreds of known watchtower bases, fort sites and short exposed stretches of wall.

What to See #

• Saalburg Roman Fort: Located near Bad Homburg in the Taunus, reconstructed Roman fort maintained as a museum since the early 20th century and representing the best-preserved fort on the Limes.
• Limesmuseum Aalen: Museum in Aalen presenting excavated remains from a Limes fort and displays on frontier life and construction techniques from the 1st to 3rd centuries AD.
• Fort and watchtower sites: Scattered excavated fort sites, tower foundations and sections of the boundary ditch running through Baden-Württemberg, Hesse and Bavaria that can be visited along marked hiking routes.