Ancient fortress Transmariska North and South Tutrakan

Overview

For six centuries (I-VI century) the ancient settlement and fortress Transmariska, located on the territory of the modern city of Tutrakan, played an important role in the defense and functioning of the Roman and early Byzantine Limes.

Transmariska emerged at the end of the first half of the 1st century. With the settlement of the 1st Thracian-Syrian cohort at the beginning of the 2nd century, Transmariska became a unit of the Roman defense of the Lower Danube. In the II-III century Transmariska retained its character - a camp of a not very large military unit and a civilian settlement, benefiting from the transport capabilities of the river, the ancient road along the Limes and the favorable economic conditions of the region.

The end of the 3rd century marks the beginning of a new development of the fortification system and the role of Transmariska in the defense of the Limes. The city is part of a major construction program to stabilize the defensive power along the Roman border.

Emperor Diocletian personally visited Transmariska in 294, as evidenced by an inscription in which the fortress was called a "presidium". The castle is one of the four largest military centers of the Lower Danube Limes. Here resides the prefect of the second part of the XI Claudius Legion. Under his command are 5 cohorts of the legion. With them he controlled the river bank from the village of Ryahovo to the village of Dolno Ryahovo.

Later, in the 5th and 6th centuries, Transmariska was an episcopal center. The city was constantly attacked and destroyed by the Goths and Huns. The ancient settlement perished in the early 7th century, as a result of barbarian invasions.

The Roman and Byzantine fortress, located below the modern city, has an area of ​​65 acres. From the northern part of the fortress were discovered the fortress wall with two square towers with stone slabs on the lower level and ceramics on the upper. The wall has a gate in the middle between the towers and a pottery in the east tower. The southern fortress wall of Transmariska with two battle towers - one horseshoe-shaped and the other fan-shaped, is a significant archaeological cultural monument and an interesting tourist site.

The ancient castle "Transmariska" was declared a cultural monument of national importance in 1968.