Vindonissa

Vindonissa was a Roman legionary fortress and later a civilian settlement located near the modern town of Windisch in Aargau, Switzerland. Established around 15 AD, it served as the base for the Legio XIII Gemina and later the Legio XXI Rapax. Its strategic location at the confluence of the rivers Aare and Reuss, near the Rhine, made it an important military and administrative center in the province of Germania Superior.

The fortress housed thousands of soldiers and played a crucial role in defending the Roman frontier. Over time, a civilian vicus (village) developed around the military encampment, supporting the legionaries and their families. Remains of Vindonissa include foundations of barracks, granaries, baths, a principia (headquarters), and an amphitheater, which could seat several thousand spectators.

Vindonissa remained a significant Roman presence until the late 4th century AD. Following the decline of Roman power in the region, the fortress was gradually abandoned. The site later saw settlement by the Alemanni. Archaeological excavations, which began in the 19th century and continue to this day, have uncovered extensive evidence of Roman life, making Vindonissa one of the most important Roman archaeological sites in Switzerland. The finds from Vindonissa are displayed in various museums, including the Vindonissa Museum in Brugg.