SEven after more than 200 years of research, the Upper Germanic-Raetian Limes still holds surprises. The assumption of an impenetrable border wall against the “barbarians” has already been abandoned in favor of a more symbolic approach obstacle that should both deter and impress. Here, too, it was said to leave some cherished ideas behind. The forts and watchtowers were not unplastered boxes made of raw stone, but painted white and lined with red grout to give the impression of solid masonry.
Both variants were executed at Idstein im Taunus. Committed to more recent knowledge, the watchtower above the Dasbach valley was built in 2002 in radiant white, while the post reconstructed 50 years ago further west on the historic Hünerstraße was still “stone-engraved”, comparable to the image one had (wrongly) in the 19th century. made when rebuilding the castles.
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As a testament to the knowledge of the past, archeology today leaves the original appearance. Only the Limes Wall, which was erected in front of the tower in 1972, has been changed – it is steeper and the palisade is painted white. This twelve meter high tower did not stand alone either. At a pass crossing he secured the fort built behind it with a garrison of 500 men. At least the strong military presence did not fail to have a pacifying effect. The civil settlements that grew up on the border from the middle of the 2nd century AD can hardly be explained otherwise. Probably not only soldiers but even locals lived in such a vicus. Maybe they even watched theatrical performances together. The fort area also provides a remarkable view of this: Two amphitheaters, first interpreted as “round ramparts”, lay between the wall and residential buildings. Their faults are still clearly visible.
Directions
For a hike in the western district of Idstein, the train station is conveniently located above the core area. The parking facilities offer low daily rates; There is a free parking space about 300 meters away. And there is a second option: After leaving the autobahn, turn left toward Oberauroff and then left again beyond the underpass (direction Eschenhahn). With a shortened start, you can start here directly to Oberauroff on a separate footpath, or you go back under the bridge and behind the road maintenance department turn left to the next motorway underpass, which corresponds to the final section.
Perhaps the Romans and “Teutons” sat together here.
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Image: Thomas Klein
If the start is at the train station, we get up there after going over the railway bridge, through the roundabout and right into Auroffer Straße. The “Via Mattiacorum” is noticeable along with other signs. This, marked with VM over a red dot, follows a presumed path of Roman border soldiers between Idstein and Wiesbaden (“Aquae Mattiacorum”), which is a popular stage for its hot springs.
Initially appearing sporadically, the “Via” is present without gaps at the latest behind the motorway bridge, here on the left, and is authoritative up to the Zugmantel fort. The road accompanies you for a while before turning right into the fields and straight ahead towards the forest. Under airy beeches it falls again a bit and then by sweeping in open country all the way down to the brook valley in front of Niederauroff; now left, past mighty mica slate rocks, to Oberauroff. The Gothic Liebfrauenkirche (Church of Our Lady) with its partly late-Gothic furnishings under a wooden barrel vault stands prominently on a high pedestal.