Mautern an der Donau

The frontier system in Austria consisted of a chain of fortifications – fortresses, forts, fortlets and watchtowers – running along the south bank of the river Danube connected by the limes road and using the river as an additional obstacle and as a communication, supply and trade route. This fortification system was outer borderline of the Roman Empire and protected it from the Germanic tribes to the North. The Limes road connected the individual forts and main military installations, including fort named Favianis. In here were stationed: the part of the legion legio I Noricorum and a prefect of the Danubian fleet of Noricum.

The buildings of the first fort were made from mud brick. Then it was built of stone and modernized in several phases. In the second and third century garrisoned by the cohors Aelia I Brittonum Milliaria, a unit of thousand auxiliary soldiers and a replacement for the former cohors II Batavorum.

Fort Favianis in Mautern on the Danube

Photos: the late Roman fan-shaped tower of the fort at Mautern.

In the fourth century the fortifications were adapted for defense under siege. The rebuilding measures included the massive reinforcement of the curtain walls and the building of fan-shaped corner towers, where a part of the legio I Noricorum was stationed. The internal buildings are constructed in a way to accommodate civilians too.

A last building phase can be recognized in the huge U-shaped stone tower on the west-front of the fortification wall.

Prominent example of the Roman military architecture, U-shaped tower, which the upper window openings on the west side, survived in the original form.

The still partly preserved curtain wall at the west side of the former fort Favianis.

Römerhalle, from the Danube side
Mautern is one of the many municipalities, which integrated the Roman heritage into their tourism profil: they offer a Roman Hall for events, a Roman playground and a cultural route "Favianis-Mutaren", which includes a visit to the Roman museum.

text from:
Frontiers of the Roman Empire (...)
www.limes-oesterreich.at