Roman sites in Wales
Caerleon Roman Amphitheatre
Built around AD 90 to entertain the legionaries stationed at the fort of Caerleon (Isca), the impressive amphitheatre was the Roman equivalent of today’s multiplex cinema. Wooden benches provided seating for up to 6,000 spectators, who would gather to watch bloodthirsty displays featuring gladiatorial combat and exotic wild animals. Long after the Romans left, the amphitheatre took on a new life in Arthurian legend. Ge ...
Founded: 90 AD |
Location:
Newport, United Kingdom
Caerleon Roman Fortress and Baths
The Caerleon Roman Fortress and Baths museum is a historical site located in the town of Caerleon. Roman Wales was the farthest point west that the Roman Empire in Roman Britain extended to, and as a defence point, the fortress at Caerleon built in AD 75 was one of only three permanent Roman Legionary fortresses in Roman Britain. It was occupied and operational for just over 200 years. The site of the baths was ...
Founded: 75 AD |
Location:
Newport, United Kingdom
Dolaucothi Gold Mines
The Dolaucothi Gold Mines are ancient Roman surface and underground mines located in the valley of the River Cothi, near Pumsaint. The gold mines are located within the Dolaucothi Estate which is now owned by the National Trust. They are the only mines for Welsh gold outside those of the Dolgellau gold-belt, and are a Scheduled Ancient Monument. They are also the only known Roman gold mines in Britain, although it ...
Founded: c. 74 AD |
Location:
Pumsaint, United Kingdom
Brecon Gaer Roman Fort
Looking at its tranquil location in farmland near Brecon today, you’d never guess that Gaer was once one of the Romans’ largest inland forts and a vital link in the occupiers’ defensive network in Wales. Founded around AD 75, it was situated in a strategic position at the meeting point of two major roads and manned by highly trained legionaries of the Vettonian Spanish Cavalry Regiment. In Roman times this was a bu ...
Founded: 75 AD |
Location:
Powys, United Kingdom
Moridunum
Moridunum was a Roman fort and town in the Roman province of Britannia, today in Carmarthen. The initial fort is believed to date from about AD 75, possibly replacing the hillfort on Merlin"s Hill. The fort lasted until about 120, when the associated civilian vicus took over and the place became a town. A street-grid was laid out in the town and a public bath house built, and possibly a mansio. The forum and ...
Founded: 75 AD |
Location:
Carmarthen, United Kingdom
Bremia
Bremia was the Roman fort in Llanio in the Llanddewi Brefi community area. The fort was built by the Romans around AD 75 and was in use to AD 120 in Roman Wales. The fort was situated on Sarn Helen, a Roman road leading north from the fort at Dolaucothi. Five inscribed stones have been found within the fort and surrounding military settlement. Two of these have inscriptions which show the garrison to include to a cohort f ...
Founded: 75 AD |
Location:
Llanddewi Brefi, United Kingdom