Trajanov most
Kostol, Kladovo
Trajan's Bridge - Basic Information
In 105, the Roman emperor Trajan opened the bridge that crossed the Danube, and for the next 1000 years it held the title of the longest bridge ever built. This bridge no longer connects the Serbian and Romanian coasts, but its remains still rest near the village of Kostol near Kladovo.
History of the bridge
The bridge had the role of connecting Upper Moesia and Dacia during the Roman Empire. Its length was 1,095 meters, and it played an important role in the Second Campaign of Emperor Trajan on Dacia. He chose this place for the construction of the bridge, because the Danube was shallow and calm in that area, so he had favorable conditions to maintain the bridge for many years. And the bridge itself was designed by the most respected architect of that time, Adolodor from Damascus. Unfortunately, Trajan's Bridge was demolished in the 3rd century, by order of the Roman emperor Aurelian, during the retreat due to the attack of barbarian tribes.
The appearance of the bridge
The bridge was built in a very short period of time during that time, from 103 to 105. It was built of stone, with twenty pillars in the water, which could be seen as early as 1856, when the level of the Danube was very low. They rose over 40 meters in height, with a distance of about 50 meters. The remains of the initial pillars can still be seen on the river bank. At both ends of the bridge, there were Roman castres, ie military fortifications, which were fenced around the entrance to the bridge, so that it was not possible to cross without passing through them. Also, on both sides of the bridge, at the entrances, two bronze statues of Emperor Trajan were discovered, one of which is kept in the National Museum, and a credible bronze replica is in Kostolac. Based on the archaeological research that was conducted, as well as the recordings, today we know with certainty what the bridge looked like, so there are drawings and sketches that illustrate this building.
The significance of Trajan's Bridge
In the period in which it was built, the bridge really represented a kind of miracle of construction, because it was built in a very short period of time. After the campaign in Dacia, the bridge connected the two banks, and exploited ores were transported across the river, which were excavated in the area of today's Romania. So such large investments in the construction of the bridge paid off many times over, by expanding the territory that could be exploited, but also by defending against barbarian attacks.
How to get to the bridge
The bridge is located near the village of Kostol, near Kladovo.
History of the bridge
The bridge had the role of connecting Upper Moesia and Dacia during the Roman Empire. Its length was 1,095 meters, and it played an important role in the Second Campaign of Emperor Trajan on Dacia. He chose this place for the construction of the bridge, because the Danube was shallow and calm in that area, so he had favorable conditions to maintain the bridge for many years. And the bridge itself was designed by the most respected architect of that time, Adolodor from Damascus. Unfortunately, Trajan's Bridge was demolished in the 3rd century, by order of the Roman emperor Aurelian, during the retreat due to the attack of barbarian tribes.
The appearance of the bridge
The bridge was built in a very short period of time during that time, from 103 to 105. It was built of stone, with twenty pillars in the water, which could be seen as early as 1856, when the level of the Danube was very low. They rose over 40 meters in height, with a distance of about 50 meters. The remains of the initial pillars can still be seen on the river bank. At both ends of the bridge, there were Roman castres, ie military fortifications, which were fenced around the entrance to the bridge, so that it was not possible to cross without passing through them. Also, on both sides of the bridge, at the entrances, two bronze statues of Emperor Trajan were discovered, one of which is kept in the National Museum, and a credible bronze replica is in Kostolac. Based on the archaeological research that was conducted, as well as the recordings, today we know with certainty what the bridge looked like, so there are drawings and sketches that illustrate this building.
The significance of Trajan's Bridge
In the period in which it was built, the bridge really represented a kind of miracle of construction, because it was built in a very short period of time. After the campaign in Dacia, the bridge connected the two banks, and exploited ores were transported across the river, which were excavated in the area of today's Romania. So such large investments in the construction of the bridge paid off many times over, by expanding the territory that could be exploited, but also by defending against barbarian attacks.
How to get to the bridge
The bridge is located near the village of Kostol, near Kladovo.
- Car: arrives from Belgrade in 3 and a half hours, through Pozarevac, Golubac, Donji Milanovac and Tekija. From Kladovo you can reach it in about ten minutes, by route 167.
- Taxi: Taxi Association in Kladovo: Taxi Rile 063 1742818; Taxi Potrčko 063 8029523; Taxi Vladuš 063/84 31 833
Amenities
Type of Attractions
- Brige
- Museum
Location
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