In the footsteps of Romans on the Danube





International tourist route „Tracing the Romans on the Danube“
Route: Komárno - Iža (circuit in the Slovak Republic)

(Note: The trail is a continuation of the circuit in Hungary: Almásfüzitő - Szőny - Komárom)

On the crossing near the bridge to Elizabeth Island (Alžbetin ostrov) turn right into Palatine Street (Palatínova ulica) – it will lead to the Danube Museum (Podunajské múzeum) (13) with a permanent exhibition “History of Komárno and its surroundings from prehistoric times to the 19th century”. The exposition also includes relics from the Roman period. After a visit, we recommend a walk in the historical heart of the city, buildings that characterize secular historicism of the 19th century and religious buildings dating from the 18th century. The main square is dominated by the neo-renaissance town hall, before it stands a statue of General Klapka György. The western part of the square is the former building of the Zichy Palace – its park is leading to the Europe Place, which presents a stylized form of the architecture of European countries and regions. By the gate of St. Ladislas you get to the Franciscans Street (Ulica františkánov) or to Jókai Street (Jókaiho ulica) that leads to Kossuth Square (Kossuthovo námestie). From the Kossuth Square you can get trhough the street Comenius (Komenského Ulica) to the Roman Lapidarium in Bastion VI. (14) of the fortification system, where there are exposed roman stone-statuary monuments from the territory of Pannonia (1st - 4th century). The exposition of the Roman monuments was awarded by the Europa Nostra award - for the preservation and cultural - social use of cultural heritage. After the tour of the museum you can continue along the ground mound fortification system and the of individual Bastions (IV. - II.) to the Bastion I. with the Gate of Bratislava (Bratislavská brána). Thence go along the Danube embankment port through Elektrárenská Street (Elektrárenská cesta) to the new and the old fort at the confluence of the rivers Danube and Váh. The route along the Váh river will lead you to the bridge over the river, where you can continue the journey through the Roman monuments. You can get to the Roman castellum Celemantia - Leányvár (15) wich can be reached by bicycle or on foot through the protective antiflood dam along the Danube and Váh rivers (about 4 km). Their surface consists of loose gravel. Immediately after the bridge go to the barrier next to the river Váh and continue to the confluence of the Danube and Váh rivers. Continue along the Danube embankment, while the information system will inform about the Roman monuments.

Way along the dam (or through the part of Komárno - Veľký Harčáš) after about 3.5 km you reach the billboard, which introduces a temporary position of the Roman field camps from the period of Marcomanni wars. Thence continue through a field road and after 500 m you arrive at the Roman castellum Celemantia - Leányvár.
The other route in the direction from Komárno is by the local road leading from the Váh bridge turning right through the urban part of Komárno - Veľký Harčáš (about 3 km), and continues with a short section (800 m) of lane.

The Roman castellum can be reached from Komárno and from Nové Zámky by the main road no. 64 and by a turn to the road no. 63 to the village of Iža. From the center of the village follow the signs by a panel road to the Danube (approximately 1.5 km) along the shore - upstream, towards the west.
The whole area of the Castellum with more than 3 ha is historically protected since 1957. Currently part o fit is being reconstructed into a museum in the nature, it is open free to visitors all year long.

The Castellum was an extended foothold of the Legio Brigetio camp (now next to the village Szőny, HU) and also part of the fortification system (Limes Romanus) built along the northern border province of Pannonia. The first fortification on the site (ground-wood camp) comes from the time of Marcomanni wars, from the 70-ies of the 2nd century. Its inner area with buildings of mud-brick walls was protected by mounds with a palisade wall with gates and towers and a pair of spiky ditches. It disappeared shortly after the unexpected Germanic attack. At end of the 2nd century the Romans built on the same site a stone Castellum - permanent camp for auxiliary military units.
Basic knowledge about the development of the Castellum is provided by an information system installed in high season (May 1 - Oct. 31): In the middle of the area in the vicinity of individual buildings are located illustrated boards with reconstructions and descriptions of the buildings. On the dam on the Danube is a lookout allowing full view of the Castellum area, its surroundings, but also the Danube and the opposite shore, where once the Legio Brigetio camp stood. There is located a map of the section of Roman frontiers of in Northern Pannonia and a ground plan of the Castellum with the built-up area from the end of the 2nd century.

In the area attractions can be visited part of the original and reconstructed buildings. Findings from the Roman camp at Iža are exhibited in a permanent exhibition of the Podunajské Múzeum in Komárno, in the Roman Lapidarium in Bastion VI, but also at the Thesaurus of the Slovak National Museum in Bratislava Castle and the permanent exhibition of the Slovak Agricultural Museum in Nitra (Agrokomplex area).
The International tourist route „Tracing the Romans on the Danube“ in the village of Iža joins the International Danubian cycle trail which leads to city of Štúrovo.



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1 - Locations of pottery villages from the 2. – 3. century (opposite to the petrol stations, Komárom - Szőny, HU)
2 - Road leading to the Danube, in essence, leading through the eastern fortress wall of the Brigetio legioncamp Komárom - Szőny, HU)
3 - Place of the first Roman fort in Brigetio - auxiliary ground-wood camp (Komárom - Szőny, HU)
4 - Roman sarcophagus in the park of a housing estate (Komárom - Szőny, HU)
5 - Western corner of the existing housing estate - and also a Roman legion camp defined by a row of garages. In these places beginned the military town - canabae legionis (Komárom -Szőny, HU)
6 - The western frontier of the military town, originally found in the area of today‘s granary (Komárom - Szőny, HU)
7 - Brigetio Civil City Center - Archaeological Research (Komárom - Szőny, HU)
8 - Spa (Komárom, HU)
9 - Square with town hall from the 19 century, and Roman sarcophagi (Komárom, HU)
10 - Fort of Igmánd - Lapidary of Roman monuments (Museum of György Klapka, Komárom, HU)
11 - Traffic lights - in SE corner is a Roman milestone from the 4 century (Komárom, HU)
12 - Roman exhibition in the Museum of György Klapka (Kelemen László u. 22, Komárom, HU)
13 - Danubian Museum - Podunajské múzeum (Palatínová ulica 13, Komárno, SK)
14 - Lapidary of Roman monuments (Bastion VI., Vnútorná okružná ulica, Komárno, SK)
15 - Roman Castellum Celemantia (Iža, SK)