Roman Watch-Tower Wp 3/26
at Limes Germanicus

83 to 260 a.d.

Reconstruction of a typical Roman Watch-Tower along the Limes Germanicus defense line near Idstein-Dasbach in the Taunus mountains. The tower has been plastered, and painted white with red grout to simulate a regular stone pattern. One corner of the tower has been left unplastered to show the irregular stonework of the tower wall. The steel door on the eastern side of the tower is used by modern day visitors. Roman soldiers entered the tower through a small hatch on the second floor which could only be reached by a ladder. The ground floor was used to store food, arms, and equipment. The tower crew cooked and slept on the second floor, and they used the balcony of the third floor to observe the area in front of the Limes border line. The nearest towers to the left and right were within sight of this tower. Enemy contact and attacks would be reported by smoke signals during the day, or light signals by night.

Roman Tower 3/26 at Limes Germanicus

Entrance on the south side

Inscription above the entrance

East side of the tower

Detail of the stonework

North side of the tower

Northwest side of the tower

Balcony on the northwest side

Plaque at Wp 3/26

Watch-Tower 3/26 near Idstein-Dasbach appears to be the most accurately reconstructed Roman tower along Limes Germanicus today.

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– Published: 09.09.2003 – Updated: 28.08.2008
© 2003-2011 by IDL Software GmbH, Darmstadt, Germany. All rights reserved.