Jewry Wall, Leicester (Leicestershire)

A length of Roman bath-house wall.

Summary 13th century buildings (or older) Free car parking (on site)

Introduction

 A length of Roman bath-house wall over 9 metres (30 feet) high, near a museum displaying the archaeology of Leicester and its region.

History to the present day

The Jewry Wall is the only part of the Roman baths still standing above Roman floor level.Six types of stone were used in the building including granites from Charnwood and Millstone Grit from the Peak District.

The Jewry Wall survived when medieval builders demolished the rest of the baths in order to reuse the stone. It had by that time become the west wall of the Church of St Nicholas, built during the Anglo-Saxon period.

The name might derive from the 24 'Jurats' or medieval Borough councillors who met in the church yard. In 1722 the antiquarian, William Stukeley, called it 'The Jury Wall' on his map of the town.

At the time of Stukeley's drawing the wall was commonly known as the Temple of Janus. Janus, the Roman god of gateways, gave his name to the opening month of the year, January. As the Jewry Wall resembled a gateway, it was thought to be the west gate of the town and was sometimes referred to as 'the Janua of the old City'.

The modern spelling was in use in the early 19th century but there is no known link to a Jewish quarter.

Arrival information and how to find us

Address: Jewry Wall, Leicestershire, , United Kingdom

Opening times:

 

Summer 10am-6pm Mon - Sun.

Rest of year 10am-4pm Mon - Sun.

Museum 11am-4.30pm Sat.

Closed 24-26 Dec and 1 Jan

 

Admission prices:

 

Adult:Free

Children:Free

Concession:Free 

 

 

Photographs courtesy of English Heritage Photographic Library.