Noviodunum Fortress
About Noviodunum Fortress
Noviodunum Fortress stands on a promontory on the right bank of the Danube, ~3 km east of the centre of Isaccea, at the spot known as "Eski Kale" ("old fortress" in Turkish) or "Pontonul Vechi". The name, of Celtic origin, means "new fortress". The site guarded one of the most important fords of the Lower Danube, and after the region came under Roman rule in the 1st century it became the main base of the Danube fleet Classis Flavia Moesica, alongside detachments of the V Macedonica and I Italica legions.
A town grew up next to the fort and was raised to the rank of municipium in the late 2nd century. Under Diocletian the I Iovia legion was stationed here, and after the invasions of the 3rd century the fortress was rebuilt under Constantine the Great. In 369 Emperor Valens crossed the Danube at Noviodunum on his campaign against the Goths. The settlement survived until the 7th century and revived as a Byzantine town in the 10th–13th centuries, before life moved to present-day Isaccea. Excavations began in 1953 and are now led by the "Gavrilă Simion" Eco-Museum Research Institute in Tulcea.
Noviodunum is part of the "Frontiers of the Roman Empire – The Danube Limes (Romania)" nomination, on UNESCO's World Heritage Tentative List since 2020.
What you can see
The site is an archaeological dig, not a restored fortress. On the south side you can see stretches of the curtain wall, almost 3 m thick, with bands of brick between the courses of stone, and the bases of three towers: a fan-shaped corner tower, a U-shaped tower and the Great Tower, one of the largest towers the Romans ever built. The walls on the north side lie under the Danube for much of the year and only appear when the river drops, as happened in 2022. From the promontory you look out over the Danube floodplain and the Ukrainian bank.
Good to know
The fortress is not included in the opening hours of the ICEM Tulcea museums and has no published admission charge; no visitor facilities (information centre, marked paths) have been announced. A project to restore the site and lay out an archaeological park has been in preparation since 2022. Guided tours are held at events, such as the European Archaeology Days in June 2026.
Information verified on 21 October 2026.
- The curtain wall on the south side, almost 3 m thick, with bands of brick between the courses of stone.
- The Great Tower, at the southern end of the fortifications, one of the largest towers the Romans ever built.
- The fan-shaped corner tower and the U-shaped tower on the same stretch of wall.
- The view from the promontory over the Danube floodplain, where the Roman fleet's harbour lay.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: from Tulcea take the DN22 towards Isaccea, then the DJ 229T towards the Danube; ~39 km in all, about 45 minutes. From the centre of Isaccea it is ~3 km east along the DJ 229T. It is ~155 km from Constanța (~2 hours 30 minutes), north on the DN22, and ~280 km from Bucharest (~4 hours), via the A2 and DN21 to Brăila, then over the suspension bridge across the Danube and along the DN22 through Măcin.
Public transport: buses and minibuses run between Tulcea and Isaccea on the DN22; the timetable can be checked at the Tulcea bus station. From Isaccea to the fortress it is ~3 km, on foot or by taxi.
- Fees & discounts
There is no published admission charge for the fortress: the site is not one of ICEM Tulcea's ticketed sites.
- Rules
Do not climb on the walls, move the stones or enter the excavation trenches. Metal detecting and removing objects from the site are prohibited by law. The ground is uneven and without shade: wear comfortable shoes and bring water and sun protection.
- Facilities
No visitor facilities at the site · shops and places to eat in Isaccea
Frequently asked questions about Noviodunum Fortress
- How long does a visit to Noviodunum Fortress take?
- A visit to Noviodunum Fortress takes about 45 min (a walk along the walls).
- Can you visit Noviodunum Fortress with kids?
- Yes, Noviodunum Fortress is suitable for children (uneven ground, open trenches).
- How do I get to Noviodunum Fortress?
- Noviodunum Fortress is located at DJ 229T, ~3 km east of the town centre, on the banks of the Danube, Isaccea, Tulcea County. By car: from Tulcea take the DN22 towards Isaccea, then the DJ 229T towards the Danube; ~39 km in all, about 45 minutes. From the centre of Isaccea it is ~3 km east along the DJ 229T. It is ~155 km from Constanța (~2 hours 30 minutes), north on the DN22, and ~280 km from Bucharest (~4 hours), via the A2 and DN21 to Brăila, then over the suspension bridge across the Danube and along the DN22 through Măcin. Public transport: buses and minibuses run between Tulcea and Isaccea on the DN22; the timetable can be checked at the Tulcea bus station. From Isaccea to the fortress it is ~3 km, on foot or by taxi.
- When is the best time to visit Noviodunum Fortress?
- The best season for Noviodunum Fortress: April – October (in summer, come in the morning).
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