Caerleon Roman Fortress and Baths

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Caerleon Roman Fortress and Baths

Monmouthshire

Caerleon Roman Baths.JPG
Caerleon Roman Fortress and Baths
Type: Museum
Location
Grid reference: ST33949057
Location: 51°36’36"N, 2°57’19"W
Village: 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 Caerleon, on the northern outskirts of Newport, Monmouthshire. It is run by the Welsh historic environment service Cadw.

Background and history

Main article: Isca Augusta

Interior of the Roman Baths Museum
The Roman Baths museum, Caerleon - geograph.org.uk - 1155322.jpg

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