The remains of the roman Castle can be visited
Ancient BuildingSchmitten-Arnoldshain
Roman Castle Heidenstock
The small fort Heidenstock was a Roman military camp on the Upper Germanic-Rhaetian Limes on its section 3 (Taunus, between watchpost 55 and watchpost 60 (presumably around 58, not preserved)). The fort is located about 5 km from the Saalburg near Arnoldshain, in the municipality of Schmitten, in the Hessian Hochtaunuskreis.
Today, it is only accessible on foot, on a Taunus circular hiking trail from Sandplacken along the Klingenkopf, where there is another small fort. It is surrounded by dense spruce forest.
Fort+
Only the foundations of the stone enclosure (quartzite fragments) remain. Although heavily decayed, it is still recognizable. The fort had only one gate, in the north. Relics of the palisade ditch in front of it were still visible in the 19th century, which is no longer the case today. Research has shown that a fireplace was present, because large quantities of burnt debris mixed with clay were found.
Historians assume that the garrison consisted of a smaller guard detachment (approx. 20 men), which was seconded from the two larger forts Kleiner Feldberg and Saalburg.
The ruins were excavated in 1892 by Louis Jacobi. In spring 2009, the complex was renovated. During this process, part of the preserved wall stumps were carefully stabilized again to protect them from further decay. The rest of the wall remains are still protected under earth embankments.
Names+
The original Roman name is unknown. The current name Heidenstock refers to the local population's assumption that it was a customs station (Zollstock) of the pagan Romans. Even though the fort is remote, the Metzgerpfad Limes and Taunus main ridge crossed in its vicinity. It was a side road between Usinger Land and the Vordertaunus. Hence the idea of a customs house. In older Limes literature, the name "Kastell am Einsiedler" (Fort at the Hermit) is also mentioned. However, the Limes Commission decided on the designation Heidenstock.
Take Mobile History with you
You are reading this text for free. Premium adds what matters on the road: descriptions read aloud, sites found through your camera, whole regions taken offline.
- Every description, including the ~17,700 Premium sites
- Audio guide: have descriptions read to you on location
- AR finder: see sites through your camera, with distance and bearing
- Unlimited saved sites
14 days free, then from €2.99 a month. Cancel anytime.
Source: Wikipedia · Licence: CC BY-SA 4.0 · Image: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kleinkastell_Heidenstock_4.jpg
This description draws on the facts documented in the linked Wikipedia article; Wikipedia content is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Wording and editing: Mobile History.
Location: 50.2538, 8.5129