Caerleon Amphitheatre, Barracks and Baths (Cardiff)
The site of the 50-acre Roman legionary fortress of Isca, the permanent base of the Second Augustan Legion in Britain.
Introduction
The amphitheatre and barracks are open sites.
The site of the 50-acre Roman legionary fortress of Isca, the permanent base of the Second Augustan Legion in Britain from about A.D. 75. Impressive remains of the fortress baths, amphitheatre, barracks, and fortress wall. Videos available at the fortress baths.
Baths - opening times:
1st April - 31st October: 9:30-5pm daily
1st November - 31st March: 09.30-5pm Monday-Saturday, 11am-4pm Sunday.
History to the present day
Caerleon is a site of considerable archaeological importance, being the site of a Roman legionary fortress or Castra (it was the headquarters for Legio II Augusta from about 75 to 300 AD) and an Iron Age hill fort. The name Caerleon is derived from the Welsh for "fortress of the legion"; the Romans themselves called it Isca. Substantial excavated Roman remains can be seen, including the military amphitheatre, baths or Thermae and barracks occupied by the Roman Legion. According to Gildas (followed by Bede), Roman Caerleon was the site of two early Christian martyrdoms, that of Julius and Aaron. Recent finds suggest Roman occupation of some kind as late as AD 380. Roman remains have also been discovered at The Mynde, itself a distinctive historical site.
More photos of Caerleon Amphitheatre, Barracks and Baths
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Source: Cadw
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