Castrum Vitudurum

Castrum Vitudurum in Winterthur is an archaeological site in the Oberwinterthur district, canton of Zurich. A Roman trading settlement grew on the church hill here (the Kirchhügel), and at the end of the 3rd century it was replaced by a walled fort. Little is left above ground apart from foundations, but the site ranks among the key Roman locations in northern Switzerland.

What was Vitudurum?

The settlement was founded around 4 BC beside plentiful springs, on a route linking the Lake Geneva region with Lake Constance. Archaeologists call this type of Roman small town a vicus. Its centre lay on the Kirchhügel, which was already built up under Augustus. After a fire around AD 70, the first stone buildings went up there.

What did the fort look like?

In the 3rd century, Alamannic raids destroyed the village and its first fortification. Rebuilding came under Diocletian, when the hilltop fort was raised again in 293-294. The date comes from a building inscription that records the name Vitudurum. It names the Tetrarchs and the governor Aurelius Proculus, who carried out the construction of the wall. The stone was recorded in Konstanz in 1414, which gives us its earliest mention. The fort was probably used until the 5th century, though the exact end of occupation is poorly documented.

What can you see today?

The most accessible remains are the exposed foundation walls next to the church of St Arbogast. The church stands on the former fort ground and is first mentioned in a document of 843. The hill therefore shows Roman and medieval layers right beside each other. The land belongs to the city of Winterthur, while the canton of Zurich handles archaeological supervision. Do not expect a reconstructed fortress or a large exhibition. This is a place for visitors who enjoy reading landscape and history from traces in the ground.

How has the site been studied?

Digs took place in 1841 and 1853, then in 1934, followed by rescue excavations in 1949-1951. Regular fieldwork has continued since 1957. The Zurich cantonal archaeology office publishes a monograph series called "Vitudurum", presenting results from successive campaigns, including the dig at Kastellweg. In 2022 and 2025 the canton announced new studies, covering the settlement's backyards and its central quarter.

How to get there and when to visit

The site is in Oberwinterthur, in the eastern part of Winterthur, near coordinates 47.507 N, 8.756 E. Look for St Arbogast church and the surrounding Kirchhügel. The exposed walls can be viewed from outside, so pick a day with good light, in spring or early autumn. Before you go, check current details with the city of Winterthur or Kantonsarchäologie Zürich.

Frequently asked questions

Is Castrum Vitudurum the same as Vindonissa? No. Vindonissa is in Windisch, canton of Aargau, and was a legionary camp. Vitudurum was a settlement and later a fort in Oberwinterthur.

When was the fort built? The fortification was rebuilt in 293-294 under the Tetrarchy. The earlier settlement existed from about 4 BC.

What remains of the Roman structures? Mainly the foundation walls beside St Arbogast church are open to the public. Most finds are archaeological material studied by researchers.

Who is this site for? Fans of antiquity and regional history. The visit is short, so combine it with a walk around Oberwinterthur.