The Roman Fort at Ruffenhofen
The cavalry fort at Ruffenhofen was established around 110 AD and existed until about 260 AD. It lies on a flat rise where one would have had a view of a large local section of the Limes and its watch towers. Five hundred horsemen were stationed within the 3.7 hectares (1 ha = 10.000 square metres) of the fort. The names of the fort and of the original military contingent are still unknown.
Ruffenhofen is one of the few Limes forts with adjoining civilian settlements that has never been built over since Roman times. Only minor excavations were carried out in 1892 and 2005, so that major areas still remain undisturbed. Nevertheless, many details of the fort structures are known through aerial photography and extensive geophysical surveys.
Since 2003, 36 hectares have been taken out of agricultural use and designated as an archaeological reserve. This area includes the fort and part of the civilian settlement. The “Roman Park Ruffenhofen” is now open to the public. The Roman structures are marked by hedge rows and other temporary features. The small museum, which opened in 2004, exhibits a large-scale model and a complete virtual reconstruction of the fort. In the coming years, this interim museum will be moved into a larger new building located directly in the Roman Park.
Ruffenhofen fort aerial view 2003 |
|
Ruffenhofen, Magnetometry Survey |
 |
 |
|
Digital Reconstruction |
|
|
||
 |
 |
 |
||
part of the Ruffenhofen fort and earthworks Christof Fluegel) |
the Ruffenhofen fort as seen from the Praetorian gate |
Ruffenhofen's Via Principalis Christof Fluegel) |