Roman Castrum in Cigmău

Imagine traveling back in time to the distant 2nd century AD. You are at Ulpia Traiana Sarmizegetusa, from where you start towards Apulum (today's Alba Iulia). Along the imperial road, the Romans erected a barrage of fortifications with the role of surveillance and defense.

On the right bank of the Mureș River, on a high terrace, you will discover the auxiliary castrum from Cigmau. It is approximately in the middle of the distance between Micia (about 40 km southwest) and Apulum (about 45 km north).

The fortification is strategically located, the Mureș River being the most important riverine communication route of the Romanian province. Nearby are the gold deposits of the Apuseni Mountains. Only a few kilometers away is the Roman thermal bath complex Germisara.

Following the natural configuration of the land, the Cigmău castrum stands out for its irregular, elongated trapezoidal shape and the most atypical internal plan in all of Dacia.

Explore the ancient remains and discover the interesting story of the place known today also as the Fortress of the Giants!

The band stationed in the auxiliary camp at Cigmau was a special one, being made up of Britannician pedites. The last attestation of this band in Cigmau is an altar dedicated to the emperor Philip the Arab (244-249 AD), where it appears under the name n(umerus) sing(ulariorum) Brit(annicianorum) Philippiani.

It is possible that legionnaires from the XIII Gemina legion from Apulum were also stationed in the Cigmau camp.

Among the discovered artifacts are 800 stone projectiles with dimensions of 5-12 cm in diameter, relevant for Roman artillery, such pieces being quite rare.

Archaeological research in the 2000s identified the perimeter walls, gates and towers, earthen rampart and fortification ditch.

Also identified was the headquarters building - principia, which has a classical, almost square plan with dimensions of 35 x 34 m. The building has an inner courtyard surrounded by a portico and rooms on three sides. The entrance is on the south side.

The discovery of a treasure room under the aedes, the most important room in a castrum, is unique in the Romanian province of Dacia. To the west of the principia, two granaries were also discovered, occupying an unusually large total area.

The village of Cigmau is a stone's throw from the Geoagiu-Băi resort, famous for its mesothermal waters with healing properties. In the heart of the resort, you will discover the spectacular Roman thermal baths (Thermae Germisara).

Another impressive monument of antiquity is the Roman road paved with polygonal tiles, which ensured the connection between the Cigmau castrum, the Roman baths and the Săcărâmb gold mining area.

In the town of Geoagiu you can stop to admire a rare and valuable piece of Romanesque architecture – the Romanesque Chapel or Rotonda, dated in the 11th-12th century.