The Roman-Byzantine Fortress in Sucidava

When you pass through Corabia, the small port city on the Danube, make time for a visit to the Sucidava Archaeological Complex. You will discover here one of the best-preserved ancient fortresses in situ in Oltenia.

The Roman-Byzantine fortress Sucidava falls chronologically in the III-VI centuries AD. Its construction began during the reign of Emperor Gallienus and was completed under the reign of Emperor Aurelian (270-275 AD).

Occupying a strategic position, on a high terrace, at the confluence of Isker and Olt in the Danube, the fortification controlled the passage over the old river for several centuries and had a considerable role in the Romanization process of the province.

At Sucidava you will not only find vestiges from the late Roman period. Archaeological research has highlighted the permanence of living in this ancient hearth, beginning in the Neolithic era. In the museum located at the entrance to the archaeological complex, you will find exhibited objects belonging to the Vădastra culture (4th millennium BC) and the Cela cultural group (second half of the 3rd millennium BC).

Sucidava thus offers you the unique opportunity of a journey through time, in which you will be carried from the Eneolithic dwelling to the Roman building with the hypocaust and the Paleo-Byzantine Basilica. But the most exciting place definitely remains the secret well of the fortress.

Brief historical foray

Sucidava was an important military and economic center of the Suci, a Geto-Dacian tribe. After Dacia was conquered by the Romans, a castrum was built on the territory of the current Cela neighborhood in Corabia, which led to the development of the Sucidava civil settlement.

During the reign of Emperor Aurelian, the first defensive fortress was built. It was rebuilt by order of Emperor Constantine the Great (306-337 AD). It was also then that the stone bridge over the Danube was built.

The fortress was abandoned in the context of the Avar-Slavic invasions at the end of the 6th century.

Priceless treasures

The bridge built during the reign of Emperor Constantine the Great was inaugurated in the summer of 328 AD. It crossed the Danube River, connecting the Roman-Byzantine fortress of Sucidava and the ancient Oescus (the town of Ghighen in Bulgaria).

It was 2,437.5 meters long, being considered one of the longest bridges in antiquity. The duration of its existence was short, extending only to the end of the 4th century.

Currently, the northern portal of the bridge is the best preserved.

Unique experiences

Discover the Secret Fountain, a unique monument in Romano-Byzantine architecture!

It was built in the 6th century AD, to supply water to those who lived in the fortress.

The well of the fountain was arranged at a depth of 19 meters, by capturing one of the springs at the foot of the plateau. It is square in shape and covered with a pyramidal brick vault. Access is through an underground corridor, with a length of 26 meters.

The same corridor will also lead you to the secret well.