Aquis Querquennis

Ourense, Spain

Aquis Querquennis is the ruins of a Roman military camp sit along a flooded section of a river. The construction of the barracks dates back to the reign of Vespasian, around the year 75, when it was likely used as a base from which to defend newly built roads connecting other, larger roads in this remote province.

The walls, arches and moat that form the foundations of this former Roman military camp can sometimes be found half submerged in the reservoir, depending on the amount of rain upriver and the status of the dam.

References:

Atlas Obscura

Address

Unnamed Road, Ourense, Spain

See all sites in Ourense

Details

Founded: c. 75 AD
Category: Prehistoric and archaeological sites in Spain

More Information

www.atlasobscura.com

Rating

4.5/5 (based on Google user reviews)

Interesting Sites Nearby

Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte (57 km)
Braga Cathedral (59,9 km)
Ourense Cathedral (41,5 km)
Ourense Provincial Archaeological Museum (41,4 km)
St. Mary's Church (41,4 km)
Braga Castle (59,6 km)
Congregados Basilica (59,5 km)
Dom Diogo de Sousa Regional Museum (60,3 km)
St Paul's Church (60 km)

User Reviews

João Francisco Ferreira de Almeida (3 years ago)
If you are interested in Roman culture you will enjoy this place.

Paulo Casaca (3 years ago)
The ruins are in between a beautiful oak tree forest and the lake made by a dam onriver Lima

Justin Stevens (3 years ago)
It is very regrettable that a dam was built nearby, causing frequent submersion of this archeological site. Nonetheless it is a testament to history, both past and present, a gem of this region of Spain.

Filipa Morgado (3 years ago)
Amazing and relaxing place! (Still in progress)

Ryan Dickerson (4 years ago)
Excellent place for a day trip or overnight campervan stop. Hot pools from warm to hot, suitable for everyone. Access is a bit tough but wheelchairs can access the site. No toilets or changing facilities. Parking good but a bit chaotic when busy. Access road is steep and quite narrow. Lovely walls around the lake to Roman ruins and visitor centre.

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Photo from Flickr, copyright joiseyshowaa

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Broch of Gurness

The Broch of Gurness is an Iron Age broch village. Settlement here began sometime between 500 and 200 BC. At the centre of the settlement is a stone tower or broch, which once probably reached a height of around 10 metres. Its interior is divided into sections by upright slabs. The tower features two skins of drystone walls, with stone-floored galleries in between. These are accessed by steps. Stone ledges suggest that there was once an upper storey with a timber floor. The roof would have been thatched, surrounded by a wall walk linked by stairs to the ground floor. The broch features two hearths and a subterranean stone cistern with steps leading down into it. It is thought to have some religious significance, relating to an Iron Age cult of the underground.

The remains of the central tower are up to 3.6 metres high, and the stone walls are up to 4.1 metres thick.