Ulmetum Fortress

Among the ancient Dobrujan settlements is Ulmetum, whose vestiges can be seen today in the eastern part of Pantelimonu de Sus, Constanța county.

Ulmetum Fortress was a Roman-Byzantine fortification, built in the late 4th and early 5th century AD. The military stationed here had the role of controlling and protecting the transport of goods and merchants on the central Dobrujan imperial road, between the Roman cities of Noviodunum and Markianopolis.

Originally built to serve as a military garrison, the fortress transformed over time into a fortified civilian settlement with an active role in the region's economy, the population here dealing mainly with agriculture.

The settlement was inhabited until the beginning of the 7th century, with a break of several decades.

Brief historical foray

 In the 5th century AD, the fortress of Ulmetum was attacked by three successive Hunnic waves, being partially destroyed. It functioned until the 470s/480s AD, when another military event put an end to habitation in the area.

In the 6th century AD, during the reign of Emperor Justinian, an extensive program of organization of the Roman border on the Lower Danube took place. In this context, the fortress of Ulmetum is partially rebuilt and reintroduced into the administrative and economic ensemble of the province.

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Architectural features

Ulmetum fortress has the shape of a triangle, one of the sides being arched. The enclosure wall is 2.60 m thick, and its foundation is wider than the elevation by 20 to 60 cm.

The fortification was equipped with 13 defense towers of different shapes and sizes. The gates on the north-west and south-east sides were flanked by semi-circular towers. The three corner towers were circular in shape. The other six towers were quadrangular.

A religious edifice (basilica) and a military building (praetorium) were discovered inside the fortification.

Unique experiences

You are in Dobruja, a wonderful land, bathed by the waters of the Danube and the Black Sea, which hides impressive natural beauties. To convince yourself, visit the Dobruja Gorges, which are about 2 million years old. On the territory of this valuable geological reserve, with a spectacular karst landscape, you can see the La Adam and Gura Dobrogei caves. Also, here you will find the Monastery and the cave of Saint John Cassian.

Another nature reserve, home to hundreds of species of plants, birds and animals, with canyons dug into the loess, is Allah Bair Hill or "Hill of God".