RÓMAI KORI ŐRTORNYOK BUDAPESTEN (MÍTOSZ ÉS VALÓSÁG)
ROMAN AGE WATCH-TOWERS IN BUDAPEST (MYTH AND REALITY)

Summary/Abstract: We try to identify sites known only from earlier literature to prepare the World Heritage nomination of the Roman limes (CE Project “Danube Limes – UNESCO World Heritage” 1CE079P4). The watch-towers of Budapest belong to them: there are 25 altogether (Fig. 1.1) but only 6 were excavated, there are 5 more that are known because of their Roman Age finds. The remaining 14 watch-towers are only assumptions. After the revision of old data and the consideration of new archaeological evidence, the following can be drawn: most of the assumed watch-towers were buildings of the Middle Ages indeed (Békásmegyer–Pusztatemplom, all three ones in Margit-sziget, Lukács fürdő, Lánchíd u. 15–17, Roosevelt tér). Assumed watch-towers proved to be a mistake in 6 cases (Sas korcsma, Újpesti vasúti híd, Parlament, Rudas fürdő, Boráros tér, Budafoki út 109). The one in Lajos u. 29–31 belongs to the Roman Period built-up area, but it was not a watch-tower. Literature mentions 9 watch-towers on the left bank of the Danube and on the Margit-sziget, but only the existence of one of them (Megyeri csárda) can be proven. This is not surprising because only forts and fortified ports are known from the left bank of the Danube. So if there was a Roman building in the area of Megyeri csárda (Budapest IV. district) as finds prove it (Figs 3–4), it should have been a fortified port.

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