Roman Castle Saalburg (Bad Homburg)

The strategic importance of the Saalburg Pass, an ancient trade route through the Taunus, led to the construction of simple earthworks by Roman troops as early as the Chatti Wars (83–85 AD). Around 90 AD, a timber-and-earth fort for a smaller auxiliary unit, a Numerus, was built at this location. Later, around 135 AD, this was replaced by a larger cohort fort, which initially had a timber-and-stone wall and later received a mortared stone wall. The garrison was the Cohors II Raetorum civium Romanorum equitata, a partially mounted infantry unit. The fort existed until the fall of the Limes around 260 AD, when it was presumably systematically evacuated. In the Middle Ages, the ruin served as a quarry until its Roman origin was recognized in the 18th century. From the 19th century onwards, protection measures and systematic excavations began, which ultimately led to the comprehensive reconstruction of the fort in 1897 under Emperor Wilhelm II.

The Saalburg fort is located in Bad Homburg in the Hochtaunuskreis, Hesse, Germany, at an elevation of approximately 427 m above sea level.

Visitors can explore the reconstructed fort today. It houses a museum that offers insights into Roman life on the Limes and the history of the complex.

• Roman Watchtower 3/63 (Bad Homburg) (Ancient Buildings), approx. 1.2 km away
• Roman Watchtower 3/61 (Bad Homburg) (Ancient Buildings), approx. 2.3 km away
• Gothic House Castle (Bad Homburg) (Castle), approx. 4.2 km away
• Roman Fort Heidenstock (Ancient Buildings), approx. 4.3 km away