Roman Castle Oberranna

The Roman Small Fort Oberranna, near Engelhartszell in Upper Austria, is largely interpreted as a Roman auxiliary troop base or burgus and played a role in the fortress chain of the province of Noricum, even though its exact function remains a subject of scientific debate to this day.

The origins of the structure are presumed to be in the Middle Imperial period. It was strategically located directly on the Limes Road, allowing control of the opposite Ranna estuary and the surrounding river lowlands. A 3rd-century travel guide, the Itinerarium Antonini, mentions a place called Stanacum, whose distance specifications to Passau and Schlögen precisely match Oberranna, making an identification very probable. The first wall remains were discovered in 1840 and excavated between 1840 and 1842. Later excavations, particularly in 1960 and 2005, brought further insights and finds such as pottery and bricks to light.