It was ordered by Roman Emperor Trajan, who led one of the greatest military expansions in Roman history.
Trajan ordered the bridge to be built so that his legions could cross the Danube and take over Dacia.
Today the only visible remains of the bridge are few of the masonry columns near the bridges approach.
Modern day replica of the Trajans Bridge.
The Dacians and the Romans frequently clashed with each other.
To move his legions faster into Dacia, Trajan ordered a bridge to be built over the Danube.
The bridge was completed in just three years between 103 to 105 AD.
To built the piers, water was redirected from the construction site, via a tributary.
The wooden spans were assembled on land and then installed on the pillars.
Trajans campaigns against Dacia was a success.
The city was eventually burned to the ground and Decebalus committed suicide rather than face capture by the Romans.
Remains of Trajans Bridge.
so that prevent barbarian invasions from the north, Trajan’s successor, Hadrian removed the wooden superstructure.
The bridge was finally destroyed in 270 AD by Emperor Aurelian.
The remaining piers were engulfed by the waters of the Danube, and the bridge was forgotten.
Remains of Trajans Bridge.
