Gyöngyössy Márton (szerk.): Perspectives on the Past. Major Excavations in County Pest (Szentendre, 2008)
ROMAN AGE A Roman auxiliary fort at Szentendre (1 st-4th centuries AD) Ulcisia Castra, an auxiliary fort of the Roman limes, lies on alow ridge between Road 11 and Paprikabíró Street at Szentendre. The investigation of the fort measuring 205 m by 134 m was begun in the early 20th century, a rather late date considering that the site itself was well known since remnants of the fort’s walls were still visible in the later 19th century. The excavation of the fort was directed by Dr. Lajos Nagy in 1934-1935 and 2. by Dr. Tibor Nagy between 1939 and 1942. Their work was later continued by Sándor Soproni. A few trial trenches were opened in the uninvestigated area of the fort in 1996-1997. The excavated features included the walled-up gate of the fort’s north-eastern, horseshoe shaped tower, the fan shaped north-eastern corner tower and the area by the northern wall in the fort’s interior. Various architectural features of the military baths lying beyond the fort in Kossuth Lajos Street were also excavated. The archaeological investigation of the area, the excavation of the fort and the vicus was resumed in the past few years owing to the plans for the construction of a new museum in this area and the display of the remains to the public. A hoard of lead mirror frames and round bronze mirrors dating from the 3rd century was brought to light in the fort’s interior 2002 near the south-western horseshoe tower. The counterpart of the magnificent mirror frame inscribed with the words utere felix - bene (“Use it, and be happy!”) was also found here. 1 2 3 4 5 6 1. Bronze bells 2. Stamped brick of the Syrian cohors 3. Western gate tower of the southern gate 4. Bronze statuette of Minerva 5. Hand fragment of a bronze cult statue 6. Aerial view of the Roman fort
