Ibida Fortress, tourist attraction in the Danube Delta

Ibida Fortress is an archaeological site located in north-eastern Dobrogea, on Romanian territory, near the town of Slava Rusă, Tulcea county. It was an important fortified centre in the Roman and Byzantine period, having a strategic role in the defence of the Danube frontier of the Roman Empire.

Background:

1. Roman period: Ibida was originally a Roman fortress, built to protect the northern border of the Roman Empire. It was included in the defence system of the Danube Limes.
2. Byzantine period: After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, the fortress continued to be utilised in the Byzantine period, being consolidated and enlarged. It served as a point of defence against migratory invasions.
3. Abandon: The fortress was eventually abandoned, probably in the 6th-7th centuries, with the political and military changes in the region.

Structure:

• The fortress had massive walls, defensive towers and a well-organised urban structure, including churches, warehouses and dwellings.
• Ruins of early Christian churches have been discovered, indicating the presence of a Christian community from the 4th-5th centuries.

Importance:

• Ibida is a valuable archaeological site for understanding the military and social history of Dobrogea in antiquity.
• Archaeological excavations have uncovered numerous artefacts, including coins, pottery and tools, which provide insights into daily life and trade during this period.

Ibida Fortress remains a point of interest for historians and archaeologists, offering a window into the region's rich past.