Near Kostol, part of the land-side supporting pier of Trajan’s Bridge has been preserved: 5 metres high and 3.5 metres wide. These dimensions give the ancient structure a tangible point of reference. The history of Pontes Fort and a medieval settlement at the fort site add to the story. The circular “Trajan’s Loop” cycling route offers another perspective on Kostol. When planning your visit, you can distinguish between its archaeological history and a cycling connection from Kladovo through Kostol to the bridge.

Trajan’s Bridge: construction and surviving pier

Trajan’s Bridge was built between 103 and 105 AD to a design by the Syrian architect Apollodorus of Damascus. Part of its land-side supporting pier has been preserved near Kostol. The remains lie five kilometres downstream from Kladovo, near Kostol. The construction dates, the design and the location each offer a different point of reference: the date and architect relate to the bridge’s construction, while the river description identifies the location of its remains. Those interested in ancient engineering can therefore find both the historical context and a specific surviving structure associated with the area.

Pontes: protecting the bridge and settlement history

Pontes Fort was built to protect Trajan’s Bridge and control navigation on the Danube. Its roughly square layout, strong defensive walls and entrance gates identify it as a fortified site. Its purpose makes Pontes a different historical point of reference from the supporting pier: the focus here is on protecting the bridge and controlling river traffic.

A statue of the god Jupiter was found in 1979 at the archaeological site of Pontes, near the present-day village of Kostol by Kladovo. The site also has a later settlement history. In the 10th century, a medieval settlement was established within the ancient fort and on its northern slope towards the Danube. It comprised 30 residential buildings. This adds a later chapter to the Roman history of the bridge and fortifications: a settlement at the same fort site.

Cycling between Kladovo, Kostol and Trajan’s Bridge

The circular “Trajan’s Loop” cycling route runs from Kladovo through Kostol to Trajan’s Bridge and back to Kladovo. One section of the return route follows the banks of the Danube. This riverside stretch is therefore one part of the loop, not a description of the entire return route. Route conditions may vary; check the route information in advance when planning your cycling trip.

Which focus suits your trip?

The local history and cycling route offer different ways to shape your stay. If you are mainly interested in historical sites, Trajan’s Bridge and Pontes are the main attractions. If you are planning a cycling trip, “Trajan’s Loop” is the specifically named option. Choose your hotel search in Kostol according to the purpose of your trip, and take route conditions into account if cycling is part of your plans.

Discover more destinations: Okrug Bor, Kladusnica, Majdanpek, Grabovica, Donji Milanovac, Zlot, Mala Vrbica, Rajac

Go to the main travel overview: Okrug Bor.