- Neuss is a city located at the confluence of the rivers Rhine and Erft, on the west bank of the Rhine opposite Dusseldorf, in the State of North Rhine-Westphalia in Germany.
- It was founded by Drusus the Elder in 16 BCE as a Roman Fort called Novaesium which developed into a Legionary Fortress located in the Roman Province of Germania Inferior.
History
- Although the Fort has been excavated, no Remains are visible today.
- The Fort is the location of the only known Valetudinarium or Roman Military Hospital.
- In 69 CE the fort was destroyed during the Batavian Revolt but rebuilt afterwards and continued in use until 104 CE, after which, the Legions left the fort and it became a civilian town.
- Roman Legions posted to Novaesium:
- Legio XX Valeria Victrix (9-43 CE)
- Legio XVI Gallica (43-70 CE)
- In 275 CE the town was destroyed by the Franks.
- In the 350’s the town was destroyed again by the Alemanni.
Roman Sites
- Reckenburg Roman Watchtower, Neuss
- This is a modern reconstruction of a Roman Watchtower built near the buried remains of the original fort.
Museums
- Clemens Sels Museum Neuss
- Located at Am Obertor, Neuss.
- The museum holds a Collection of Finds from the Roman Fortress of Novaesium including a Legionary Helmet, a seated statue of Jupiter, a stone sundial, a millstone, inscribed tombstones, glassware, Samian Ware and Tiles.
- Other Finds from the Fortress are in the Rheinisches Landesmuseum Bonn.
Roman Roads
- A Roman Road
- Neuss-Trier
- A Military Road
- The road ran along the west bank of the Rhine and connected the forts along the Limes Germanicus.
Reckenberg Roman Watchtower, Neuss