Unesco - Wolrd Heritage Site - the Roman "Limes"

The oldest reconstruction of a Limes tower in Germany (1874) can be found on the Wintersberg. In the Pfahlgraben, not far from the spa district, reconstructions of palisades made from mighty tree trunks can be marvelled at, as well as in several other places around Bad Ems. Remains of the watchtowers can also be found there. Near Arzbach, there is a reconstructed and accessible Limes tower on the top of a 423 metre high basalt cone. of a 423 metre high basalt cone. Roman finds on display at the museum: the Kur- und Stadtmuseum shows finds from the forts in the Rhine-Lahn region and provides an insight into the world of Roman soldiers on the Limes.

The Limes Tower on the Wintersberg The foundations of the tower on the Wintersberg were discovered in the 1850s. In 1874, citizens of Bad Ems erected the replica in honour of Kaiser Wilhelm I, as the Latin inscription reads. This makes it the oldest surviving reconstruction of a watchtower on the Limes. As such, it is itself part of the World Heritage Site and a special cultural monument. Watchtower 1 of the section south of the Lahn stood on the site of today's tower. Its walls formed a square 5.50 metres on a side and were 76 cm thick. The tower was around 5 to 8 metres high and had a balcony from which it was possible to communicate with signal horns or signal fires. 5 to 8 soldiers were on duty here. From the tower, there was an unobstructed view over the Lahn valley with the ford at that time and the ascent of the Limes to the Westerwald forest opposite.

Reconstructed Stefan Tower in Arzbach The accessible WP 1/84 so-called Stefan Tower (height 18 metres) on the mountain (Großer Kopf) is a reconstructed Limes tower in a very exposed location. It is equipped with applications and lies at 430 metres. The tower is located in the centre of the Nassau Nature Park and can be reached on foot in 15 minutes. The ramparts and ditches are very well preserved and can be reached via a circular hiking trail.