Caerleon Roman Fortress and Baths
| Caerleon Roman Fortress and Baths | |
|
Monmouthshire | |
|---|---|
 Caerleon Roman Fortress and Baths | |
| Type: | Museum |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | ST33949057 |
| Location: | 51°36’36"N, 2°57’19"W |
| Town: | Caerleon |
| History | |
| Museum | |
| Information | |
| Owned by: | Cadw |
| Website: | Caerleon Roman Fortress & Baths |
The Caerleon Roman Fortress and Baths is a museum at the historical site of the Roman fortresss in the town of Caerleon, Monmouthshire. It is run by the Welsh historic environment service Cadw.
Background and history
- Main article: Isca Augusta
The Roman fortress at Caerleon was built in AD 75 to secure the narrow passage between the Severn Valley and lands to the west, which would become Glamorgan and South Wales. It was one of only three permanent Roman Legionary fortresses in Britain, and it was occupied and operational for just over 200 years.
The site of the baths was excavated in the late 1970s, and a curator was appointed in 1980 when the site was opened to the public.[1]
The Roman Baths Museum lies inside what remains of the fortress of Isca Augusta close to the National Roman Legion Museum. The baths museum has a covered walkway over part of the remains of the military bath house. There was a frigidarium, tepidarium and caldarium, as well as an open-air swimming pool.[2]
The baths museum is administered by Cadw, as are the remains of Isca Augusta. Within a short walk of the baths museum are:
- The most complete Roman amphitheatre in Britain
- Sections of the fortress walls
- The only remains of a Roman legionary barracks on view anywhere in Europe at Prysg Field
See also
Outside links
References
- ↑ Rahtz, Sebastian and Reilly, Paul: 'Archaeology and the Information Age' (Routledge, 2003) ISBN 978-1-134-89835-0; page 94
- ↑ "Caerleon Roman Fortress and Baths". http://cadw.gov.wales/daysout/Caerleon-roman-fortress-baths/?lang=en.