THE MOST IMPORTANT POINTS OF THE LIMES searching for traces ... IN THE REMS-MURR-DISTRICT: SENSATIONAL FIND OF ANCIENT ROMAN BATHS WELZHEIM ON OBERMÜHLENWEG IN MURRHARDT For the purpose of border In September 2010, just after the first bulldozers began exca- protection the Romans built vating a site for a new medical centre, the remains of a Roman small castles at intervals. A bathhouse came to light. The digging was interrupted and the good example of this is the State Antiquities and Monuments Office contacted. Over weeks small castle Rötelsee close of excavation work under the leadership of Dr. Andreas Thiel from to the city of Welzheim. The WELZHEIM the State Office for the Preservation of Historical Monuments, foundation and the trench are CITY MUSEUM it was possible to expose the parts of the building complex still still preserved. Its structure preserved – the south side with the apsis of the former hot bath In the City Museum of and its floor plan are typical room as well as the remains of a cold-water pool and parts of the Welzheim, Roman of many small castles along heating system – from the substratum. Of great interest for the occupation history in the Upper Germanic Limes. archaeologists was the discovery of a large canal running under Southwest Germany Formerly there were two the adjacent building which could carry a great deal more water is explained by means castles in Welzheim. Situated than would actually have been necessary for a Roman bath- of charts and pictures. between them there was the house. This points to a type of sewage system, an innovation for Local Roman finds are vicus – the civilian settle- a military Roman baths. These thermal baths belonged originally on display in showcases. ment. Auxiliary troops from to the fort of the XXIV cohort which was situated somewhat to Among these are also the Britain were garrisoned in the the southeast on the slope above the Murr River. below-mentioned Roman East Castle. The West Castle, Before digging was resumed, all the finds were analysed and which no longer remains and shoes. The museum in GROSSERLACH-GRAB MURRHARDT the Pfarrstraße 8 opens documented down to the smallest detail. A scientific publication which was considerably larger, is being prepared as of the present time. In the meantime, in an If you – like a Roman legi- Located at the centre of the from March through harboured an equestrian unit elaborate process, two salvaged blocks, each weighing tons with onnaire - would like to cast a Swabian Forest and easy to October on Sundays from numbering 500 men. This the apsis and part of the wall of the baths, have been installed glance into barbarian country reach by train via the Murrtal 2pm - 5pm. Admission is well-paid and well-equipped in the medical centre – almost at the place of excavation, only from the boundary of the route, the city of Murrhardt free. Guided group tours cavalry was among the most approximately two metres higher – and are on view to the intere- Imperium Romanum, you offers an excellent entry into are available in English, prestigious troops stationed sted public along with a Roman exhibition. should not miss a visit to the the Swabian Forest Roman at the Limes. Along the entire French and Flemish reconstructed watchtower at period. In Roman times, length of the Limes there following a prior request The finds can be viewed at the medical centre “Ärztehaus am Römer- Grosserlach-Grab. At a height Murrhardt was the location were only seven such castles. to the tourist office. bad”. Further information and the opening times can be obtained at of 536 metres the “Heidenbu- of a cohort castle – the “Vicus For further information: the tourist information in Murrhardt, telephone +49 (0) 7192 213 777. ckel” (“Heathen’s Hill”) marks Murrensis” – which today KAISERSBACH > www.museumwelzheim.de a major survey point and the has been overbuilt with only Between the „Spatzenhof“ > Tourist office, telephone second-highest location of signs as a reminder of the FIFTEEN-MONTH EXCAVATION IN THE and the “Königseiche” +49 (0) 71 82/ 80 08 15 the entire Limes. Keys to the past. The romantic town FORMER WEST CASTLE of WELZHEIM (“King’s Oak”) is one of the tower are kept at the inns centre with the famous Wal- best-preserved sections of The Welzheim West Castle, comprising more than four hectare “Rössle” and “Löwen” in Grab terich Chapel, an important Without limits - the Limes bulwark in Baden and therefore almost three times the size of the East Castle and as well as at the inn “Wald- piece of architecture from the Württemberg. At the „King’s only 500 metres from it, housed an equestrian unit of 500 men, the limes connects blick” in Trauzenbach and can medieval times of the Staufer Oak“ the Limes trench can a so-called “Ala”. The two fortresses on the Limes coexisted for be borrowed from there. Emperors, the cloister and the be found, somewhat hidden about one hundred years. The site of the former West Castle is charming market place with in the forest. Here, and for now covered by modern buildings. There is a plan to conserve its pleasant half-timbered a length of altogether 80 a small part of the wall and to set up an information plaque in houses reminds one of the kilometres, the Limes runs memory of the former fortress. fact, that the town can also perfectly straight over steep look back on a rich medieval In a rescue excavation from 2005/2006, interesting finds from the slopes and cliffs, completely history. From the town centre former West Castle were secured which give new insight into the independent of the nature of a trail called “Murrhardter history of the largest fortress on the former Upper Germanic Limes. the terrain. This straight line Spaziergang” (“Murrhardt The excavators found remains of a large, central cult and admini- is a masterpiece of ancient walk”) leads past the Rümelin stration building (principia). Not only was the garrison headquar- land surveying and forms a mill on the fruit-growing ters housed here but also a large assembly hall. In a semi-circular unique feature of the Limes. nature trail up to the tower apsis of the temple, the standards of the equestrian troops site of Heidenbühl. The tower The Archaeological were kept. In the cellar below, money for the troops was kept. was destroyed by a fire in Park “East Castle” In addition to this, remains of soldiers barracks and an attic or Roman times and – because The Archaeological Park commandant’s apartments were found and other finds salvaged of its strategic importance “East Castle” at Welzheim such as a grillage, spades, a small decorated bronze bucket with – was quickly rebuilt by evokes the important handle, keys, cloak pins and buckles, shards from lances as well the legionnaires; today it is Roman garrison once as fragments of a small statue and ceramic objects. The fact that considered one of the most located here on the the unexpected finds were so well preserved is thanks to the imposing watchtower ruins of plateau of Welzheim. thick layer of humus of the fields and gardens, which over the the Limes. The reconstructed west centuries covered the site of the castle. gate of the East Castle Although the remains of the walls of the Roman principia could not be salvaged, the finds will finaly be exhibited in the Welz- ALFDORF is an eye-catcher and an attraction at the same heim Museum of Local History after having been restored and Before the Limes - running time. The remains of a assessed. straight from the north – larger building complex In August 2011 a sensational find was made during the building of reaches the Rems Valley, it are clearly preserved, as a new family home: a bronze treasure trove dating from the se- changes direction towards is the bath house in the cond and third century with vessels and parts of parade equipment the east at the Haghof. Here southeast area. The posi- for the equestrian soldiers and their horses. Most outstanding is the Limes hiker and cyclist tion of the bath inside the a superb, approximately 22 cm large, medallion showing the god- trail runs along the country castle walls is quite out of dess Minerva, which was part of a horse’s bridle and so far the only road L1155 up to Alfdorf- character and still remains find of this kind made in Baden Württemberg to date. Pfahlbronn precisely over the a riddle until today. ancient Limes, so a hiker or cyclist is literally following in In the castle’s southwest THE VIRTUAL WORLD OF THE LIMES – the traces of antiquity. corner you can still see one of the two wells from A JOURNEY THROUGH TIME IN 3D For further information: which the archaeologists > www.alfdorf.de brought up true treasures; The virtual world of the Limes is an interesting and informative among them the largest computer animation which brings back to life long ago eras along NATURE PARK CENTRE CARL-SCHWEIZER-MUSEUM collection of ancient the Limes. In an interactive 3D experience, not only the restored The state-of-the-art experience exhibition on two floors The museum was founded in 1931 and exhibits archaeolo- Roman shoes ever found. layout of the grounds, but also life on the edge of the Roman at the Nature Park Centre communicates comprehensive gical material from the castle and the civilian settlement Originals and reproduc- Empire is reconstructed and made experienceable for people of information, both interesting and worth knowing, about as well as the neighbouring Limes watchtowers. The tions can be seen in the today. A 3D film, an interactive flight along the Limes, games and the entire Swabian-Franconian Forest nature park and remains of a giant Jupiter pillar and (among other things) Welzheim City Museum a 2D information platform offer a wealth of information on sites, about Roman history. a relief depicting Romulus and Remus – as legend has it, and in the Aalen Limes excavation finds and museums which the visitor can access at will. The Nature Park Centre at the Murrhardt market place the founders of the city of Rome - are considered to be Museum. The Archaeolo- The virtual reconstructions are based on laser scanning aerial pho- is open throughout the year: Monday to Sunday 10am discoveries of nationwide importance. gical Park East Castle can tography which can penetrate vegetation and make buried objects For further Information – noon and 2pm – 4pm, Thursday 10am – noon and 2pm – From Good Friday through All Saints Day (November 1st) be visited free of charge. visible in 3D. By evaluating this data, the whole impressive former aspect can be brought back to life on the computer - watchtower 6pm, closed on Wednesday afternoons. the museum is open at the following hours: Monday to The tourist office in Welz- Landratsamt Rems-Murr-Kreis Guided tours and excursions with the Limes Cicerones Friday 11am - noon and 4pm - 5pm, Saturday 11am - noon heim arranges for guided by watchtower, castle by castle and vicus by vicus. Street maps and Alter Postplatz 10 • 71332 Waiblingen • Tel. +49 (0) 71 51 / 5 01 13 76 may be booked here for the Limes section from Öhringen and 3pm - 5pm, Sunday and holidays 10am - noon and tours upon prior request satellite pictures allow history and modern life to merge. > [email protected] > www.schwaebischerwald.com to Aalen. 2pm - 5pm. (except Mondays). In the future, the 3D experience will be presented as a permanent exhibition in Welzheim, Murrhardt, Mainhardt, Öhringen, Pfe- For further information: For further information: For further information: delbach and Fellbach. In addition to this, the virtual world of the > www.naturpark-sfw.de > www.carl-schweizer-museum.de > www.welzheim.de This project was sponsored by the Naturpark Schwäbisch-Fränkischer Wald with the support Limes will be travelling with a mobile station around the Limes of the Land Baden Württemberg, the Glückspirale lottery and the European Union (ELER). > [email protected] > [email protected] > Tourist office, telephone region and at trade fairs. > Tourist info, telephone +49 (0) 7192/213 777 > Tourist info, telephone +49 (0) 7192/ 54 02 +49 (0) 71 82 / 80 08 15 For further information: > www.limeswelten.de The Limes is Germany’s largest and certainly best-known archaeological monument. The Upper Germanic Rhaetian Limes wall stretches for 550 kilometres between the rivers Rhine and Danube, comprising 120 forts and castles of various sizes and approximately 900 watchtowers. This boundary line marks the farthest extension of the two former Roman provinces Germa- nia Superior and Rhaetia. In former times, the Limes was not only a boundary, it was also a path of communication and a link connecting the individual forts. Today the Limes connects a row of ancient sights, strung out like pearls on a string.

The Limes Trail largest exhibition of antique Roman shoes. From the The traditional Limes trail Eastern Fort the path leads follows the route of the through the wood, past the Limes. It combines nature and remains of two more Roman history perfectly and leads sentry towers (WP 9/134 and through a diverse landscape, WP 9/136) towards Haghof. past the remains of watchto- Here, the Limes turns towards wers. The most important of the east after running absolu- the restorations are equipped tely straight across hills and with descriptive information valleys for approximately panels. 80 kilometres. The Limes trail begins to the At the district border of south of Grosserlach-Grab the Ostalb are the restored in the Rems-Murr-District at remains of yet another watch- the reconstructed accessible tower (WP 12/9) called “Bem- watchtower WP 9/83 with berlesstein” by the locals. The its palisades, ramparts and Limes trail now leaves the ditches on the Heidenbuckel Rems-Murr-District and soon (Heathen’s Hill). Parking is reaches Lorch, with its own available directly adjacent tales to tell of the Limes. to the watchtower. Through fields and woods the path THE LIMES – A PART then leads in the direction of Murrhardt, past the restored OF THE WORLD remains of the sentry tower CULTURAL HERITAGE WP 9/91 between Spechtshof and Siegelsberg. By being nominated part of In Siegelsberg – which the World Cultural Heritage belongs to the municipali- in 2005 together with Great ty of Murrhardt – a Limes Britains Hadrian’s Wall, which milestone commemorates has been on the heritage list the Roman past. The restored since 1987, the Upper Germa- ruin of watchtower WP 9/96 nic Rhaetian Limes in Germa- on the Heidenbühl lies on the ny may now take its place in path to Linderstebene passing the gallery of such important the remains of two watchto- archaeological sites as the wers (WP 9/98 and WP 9/99) Pyramids, the Great Wall of where a remarkable number China, or the Alhambra. of finds have been excavated. Next, the path leads into the Murrtal (Murr Valley) offering THE LIMES – the possibility of a side trip to Murrhardt, the former Roman A TIME TRAVEL border settlement “Vicus Approximately 150 AD the Ro- Murrensis” where the Carl mans cut a lane right through Schweizer Museum devotes the Swabian Forest and the a large area to life on the Ro- Eastern Alb District. For about man boundary wall - Limes. 100 years ramparts, trenches, As witness to the Roman castles, wooden palisades period, the Nature Park Centre and stone walls marked the has on display a copy of a farthest end of the Roman consecration altar from the Empire in woodland then former residents of the Murr devoid of humans. A compa- region. ratively short time measured The Limes trail now leads in against the Roman Empire’s the direction of Kaiserbach to duration, but a formative one, the watchtower WP 9/116 at the traces of which can still the Spatzenhof; the highest be seen in what was formerly point of the front Limes and Germania. Many pieces of evi- therefore one of the main dence of the Limes remained survey points. down through the centuries, especially in the Swabian Going past the small fort Rö- Forest and in the Eastern Alb telsee, the Limes trail reaches District. The forest may have the city of Welzheim which, reclaimed the land, but it with its two forts, was one of has preserved the Limes, its the most important garrisons ramparts and the foundations of the Upper Germanic Limes. of its castles and towers for From the Eastern Fort with posterity. For us today this its elaborately reconstructed ancient boundary is an event- western gate, it is worth ta- ful and highly interesting king a side trip to downtown destination which offers Welzheim. The municipal mu- incentives to families, hikers seum is located here, offering and cyclists to go travelling further information on the to a time about 2000 years in Roman past and housing the the past.

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Map based on topographical map 1:50 000 © Landesamt für Geoinformation und Landentwicklung Baden-Württemberg (www.lgl-bw.de) 12/2011, Az.:2851.2-D/8052.

First edition January 2012; Editor: Landratsamt Rems-Murr-Kreis; Text and design: agentur arcos, Murrhardt; Photography: municipalities, agentur arcos, Heinz Kübler, Frank Kleinbach.