The Roman bridges of Augusta Raurica

26 September 2021

From 80 AD, parts of the area on the right bank of the Rhine also belonged to the Roman Empire.

The road network played a decisive role in the control and administration of the empire, military transports and trade. There was an extensive and well-functioning postal network.

About 80,000 kilometres of long-distance roads (!) made this possible. In addition to the long-distance routes, which were up to seven metres wide, there were also numerous regional roads.

However, the masterpieces of the civil engineers were the bridges and aqueducts that spanned valleys and rivers.

The various Rhine bridges of Augusta Raurica (Kaiseraugst) across the right bank of the Rhine were of great importance. Augusta Raurica, with a population of over 20,000, was situated at the intersection of two roads and had an important significance.

The west-east connection from Basilia (Basel) to Vindonissia (Windisch) and the road from the south towards Aventicum (Avenches) to the north crossed each other.
The oldest bridge was near the present village of Kaiseraugst.

The two other bridges were the lower bridge and the middle bridge near Gewerth Island.

These bridges are gone nowadays. Just a few fundaments are a reminder of their existence 2 000 years ago.

(Source: Museum für römische Alltagskultur, Grenzach).