Römermauer

Who built this wall, and why? Here at the Römermauer, the whispers of Roman legions echo through time. The Römermauer isn’t just a wall. It’s a time capsule, a portal back to 179 AD. The Römermauer, or Castra Regina as the Romans called it, was a fortress. It housed the formidable Third Italic Legion. The emperor Marcus Aurelius himself commissioned its construction. Imagine the scene: Roman soldiers, their armor glinting in the sun, meticulously laying each stone. The Römermauer was two kilometers long, a mighty bulwark against barbarian tribes. The fortress’s front was made of imposing large ashlars. These stones, remarkably, have survived centuries of wear and tear. They even outlasted the Roman withdrawal in the 5th century. The Römermauer formed the heart of the medieval city that followed. Bavarian dukes and Carolingian kings made their homes within its protective embrace. Around 920 AD, the city expanded. The western part of the Römermauer became less important. But the eastern side remained a vital part of the city’s defenses for another four hundred years. The south and southeast sections stood proud even into the 19th century. Over time, buildings and earth filled the old moat. This act of time, ironically, preserved large sections of the Roman wall. The Römermauer we see today is remarkably well-preserved. Its size and condition are unique in Germany. Sections of the wall were rediscovered between 1905 and 1971. These discoveries included the northeast and southeast corners. They also included a long section on the east side, now visible in the Dachauplatz parking garage. Today, these sections form the “document Legionslagermauer.” You can walk along these ancient stones. You can touch history. You can feel the echoes of the Roman Empire right here at the Römermauer in Regensburg. This wall has witnessed the rise and fall of empires. It has seen the ebb and flow of civilizations. It stands as a silent testament to the enduring power of the past.