Capidava Fortress
About Capidava Fortress
Capidava stands on a limestone outcrop on the right bank of the Danube, halfway between Axiopolis (Cernavodă) and Carsium (Hârșova). Its name, with the Getic ending "-dava", shows that the place mattered before the Romans; Vasile Pârvan suggested it was the seat of the chieftain Dapyx, defeated by the Romans in 28 BC. The fort was built in the early 2nd century, under Trajan, by detachments of the V Macedonica and XI Claudia legions, as part of the Danube frontier. It had its own harbour and a customs post.
Destroyed by Gothic attacks in the mid-3rd century, the fortress was rebuilt from the ground up towards the end of that century and held out until the early 7th century. After a two-century gap, the Byzantines reoccupied it in the 10th–11th centuries with a settlement of frontier guards that was abandoned in the mid-11th century. Excavations began in 1924 under Grigore Florescu and continue to this day; since 1967 the site has also been a training excavation for students.
Capidava is part of the "Frontiers of the Roman Empire – The Danube Limes (Romania)" nomination, on the UNESCO Tentative List since 2020.
What you can see
The enclosure is a quadrilateral of roughly 105 × 127 m, with walls more than 2 m thick. The visit takes in the south gate, flanked by a single tower, the large quarter-circle towers at the corners, the rectangular towers, the large building by the gate, the barracks quarter to the east, the 6th-century basilica in the northern corner, the baths outside the walls and the harbour quay on the Danube. The western side was destroyed in the early 20th century, when the limestone outcrop was quarried.
Good to know
From 2015 the fortress underwent a large EU-funded restoration project in which parts of the walls and towers were rebuilt and raised with new stone. The works drew criticism: in 2016 a Ministry of Culture commission found that they had affected the monument's authenticity, especially at the harbour quay, while Constanța County Council disputed the findings. The site is in the open, with almost no shade.
Information verified on 21 October 2026.
- The large quarter-circle towers at the corners of the fortress, with the walls more than 2 m thick between them.
- The south gate, guarded by a single tower, where the road entered the fortress.
- The 6th-century basilica, built on the highest point of the enclosure.
- The quay of the Roman harbour on the bank of the Danube, more than 50 m long.
- The view over the bend of the Danube and the floodplain forest on the opposite bank.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: from Constanța take the A2 motorway towards Bucharest as far as the Cernavodă exit, then the DJ223 north through Seimeni to Capidava village: ~86 km, ~1 hour 15 minutes. From Cernavodă it is ~23 km (~25 minutes) on the DJ223, and from Hârșova ~33 km (~35 minutes) on the DN2A and DJ223 via Topalu. From Bucharest it is ~186 km (~2 hours 15 minutes) on the A2.
Public transport: no regular public transport route to Capidava is confirmed. Without a car, the realistic options are a taxi from Cernavodă or an organised excursion.
- Where to park
A car park next to the site, on the village side, a few steps from the entrance.
- Fees & discounts
Tickets cost 14 lei for adults, 8 lei for seniors and 4 lei for pupils and students. Free for children under 7, people with disabilities and their companions. A guided tour costs 70 lei. Tickets can also be bought online. The MINAC multi-access card (75 lei adults, 18 lei pupils and students) includes one entry each to Capidava, Histria, Adamclisi, Carsium and Axiopolis and is valid until 31 December. At events announced on minac.ro, such as the Night of Museums in Villages, admission is free.
- Rules
Photography and filming for personal use are included in the ticket; photo shoots and commercial filming carry a separate fee and must be approved by the museum. Do not climb on the walls and ruins.
- Facilities
Car park next to the site · online tickets · guided tours on request
Frequently asked questions about Capidava Fortress
- How much is a ticket to Capidava Fortress?
- A ticket to Capidava Fortress costs 14 lei (reductions for seniors, pupils). Tickets cost 14 lei for adults, 8 lei for seniors and 4 lei for pupils and students. Free for children under 7, people with disabilities and their companions. A guided tour costs 70 lei. Tickets can also be bought online. The MINAC multi-access card (75 lei adults, 18 lei pupils and students) includes one entry each to Capidava, Histria, Adamclisi, Carsium and Axiopolis and is valid until 31 December. At events announced on minac.ro, such as the Night of Museums in Villages, admission is free.
- What are the opening hours of Capidava Fortress?
- Opening hours at Capidava Fortress: Monday–Tuesday closed, Wednesday–Sunday 09:00 – 19:00. Summer hours (1 May – 30 September 2026): Wednesday–Sunday 09:00–19:00. Winter hours (1 October 2026 – 30 April 2027): Wednesday–Sunday 09:00–17:00. Closed Monday and Tuesday. Holidays may bring special hours, announced on minac.ro.
- How long does a visit to Capidava Fortress take?
- A visit to Capidava Fortress takes about 1 – 1¼ hours (enclosure, baths and harbour).
- Can you visit Capidava Fortress with kids?
- Yes, Capidava Fortress is suitable for children (free under 7).
- Where can I park at Capidava Fortress?
- There is free parking at Capidava Fortress (next to the site). A car park next to the site, on the village side, a few steps from the entrance.
- How do I get to Capidava Fortress?
- Capidava Fortress is located at Strada Capidava, on the bank of the Danube, at the southern edge of the village, next to the DJ223, Capidava, Constanța County. By car: from Constanța take the A2 motorway towards Bucharest as far as the Cernavodă exit, then the DJ223 north through Seimeni to Capidava village: ~86 km, ~1 hour 15 minutes. From Cernavodă it is ~23 km (~25 minutes) on the DJ223, and from Hârșova ~33 km (~35 minutes) on the DN2A and DJ223 via Topalu. From Bucharest it is ~186 km (~2 hours 15 minutes) on the A2. Public transport: no regular public transport route to Capidava is confirmed. Without a car, the realistic options are a taxi from Cernavodă or an organised excursion.
- When is the best time to visit Capidava Fortress?
- The best season for Capidava Fortress: April – October (hot in summer, no shade).
Reviews
Other attractions nearby
The closest attractions to Capidava Fortress, sorted by distance.
27 km from Capidava Fortress
29 km from Capidava Fortress
57 km from Capidava Fortress
