It is one of the two legionary fortresses of Roman Dacia, part of the UNESCO Frontiers of the Roman Empire listing, and has just opened after ten years of work.
About the place
The Fifth Macedonian Legion was moved from the Danube to Potaissa under Marcus Aurelius around AD 170 and stayed until the Romans left Dacia. The fortress covered more than 23 hectares on Dealul Cetății and housed about 6,000 soldiers. Excavations since 1971 have uncovered the headquarters building (principia), the baths, gates and bastions, yet only a small part of the fortress has been explored.
After a restoration project of about ten years, the site opened to the public on 11 September 2026. You walk on raised walkways above the ruins and see the bath pools, rooms with underfloor heating, the treasury and the marked Roman streets. The site is part of the UNESCO World Heritage property Frontiers of the Roman Empire – Dacia.
Good to know
- It is open every day except Monday; check the hours with the History Museum (0264 311 826), which runs the site.
- The combined ticket with the History Museum and the Ethnographic Section is valid for five days.
- From Piața Republicii it is about a 15-minute walk uphill; the walkways are outdoors, so pick a dry day.
Opening hours
Opening hours are not confirmed. Check the venue's website before you go.