From Chester Wiki

The map shows the Roman walls in yellow. They enclose a smaller area than the mediaeval walls (the extension is shown in blue). The green lines mark the possible positions of Roman roads.

Contents 1 Roman remains 1.1 Eastgate 1.2 South Gate 1.3 West Gate 1.4 Northgate 1.5 Roman Garden 1.6 Basement of Spud-U-Like 1.7 Town Hall Square 1.8 Grosvenor Museum 1.9 Chester Visitor Centre 1.10 Chester Heritage Centre 1.11 Deva Roman Experience 1.12 Minerva shrine 1.13 Roman Quay 1.14 Amphitheatre 1.15 Gorse Stacks 1.16 East Wall 1.17 North Wall 1.18 Roman Strongroom 1.19 South East Angle Tower 1.20 North West Angle Tower 2 A Walking Tour of Roman Chester 3 Links

[edit] Roman remains

Chester's city centre is dotted all over with Roman ruins. Some are very accessible, others less so. Here's a guide to ones that are on the usual tourist route and some that are not usually included among the regular tourist attractions.

I have also mentioned the Roman gates, each of which (according to [1] Polybus) would have had particular superstitions associated with it. Further information on Roman forts in general can be found here.

There are some videos of Chester's "Romans" here!

[edit] Eastgate

The East Gate (or Porta Principalis Dextra ("right principle gate")) faced the direction of the rising sun and was considered auspicious. The Roman East Gate was located on much the same site as the present Eastgate.

The Chester Virtual Stroll's Eastgate pages

[edit] South Gate

The South gate (or Porta Praetoria) faced the noonday sun. The southern gate of Chester was located at the upper end of Lower Bridge Street. This was the gate that was used to march out to battle.

[edit] West Gate

The western gate (or Porta Principalis Sinistra ("left principal gate")) faced the setting sun and was considered unlucky by the Romans. The western gate of Chester was located at bottom of Watergate street near the Custom House pub.

[edit] Northgate

The Northern Gate (or Porta Decumana) was located on much the same site as the present Northgate. Supplies were supposed to be brought in through it, and so it was also called the Porta Quaestoria (Quartermaster's gate). The term Decumana, "of the 10th", came from the arranging manipuli from the first to the 10th, such that the 10th was near the wall on that side. A manipuli was a division with a legion. There were three manipuli within a cohort each consisting of two centuries. In Roman times messengers bearing bad news would enter by this gate and this would have traditionally have been the route by which the dead left the city.

Remains nearby are discussed here.

The Chester Virtual Stroll's Northgate pages

[edit] Roman Garden

The Roman Garden has a motley collection of ancient Roman stonework, including assorted columns and a reconstructed hypocaust, or underfloor heating system, which have been unearthed at various locations around the town and reassembled here. Chester's ancient High Cross was for many years displayed here as well.

The Roman Garden on the Chester Virtual Stroll

[edit] Basement of Spud-U-Like

You need to ask to see the remains in the cellar!

[edit] Town Hall Square

Find out more about Town Hall Square on the Chester Virtual Stroll

[edit] Grosvenor Museum

Entry to the Museum is free. The Graham Webster Gallery at the Grosvenor Museum contains an impressive collection of Roman tombstones. Many of these were recovered from within the northern wall of Chester. A detailed description of the collection of stones in the Grosvenor can be found here thanks to ChesterTourist.

[edit] Chester Visitor Centre

The Visitor Centre has a small museum relating to the Amphitheatre (entry is free)

[edit] Chester Heritage Centre

The Heritage Centre has a collection of books and papers relating to the history of Chester (entry is free)

[edit] Deva Roman Experience

[edit] Minerva shrine

The Minerva shrine is located in Edgar's Field about 200m from the south end of Handbridge(Old Dee Bridge). This is the only surviving rock-cut Roman shrine which is still in situ at its original location in the whole of western Europe. It dates from around AD 79, during the time of Vespasian, when the same area was being used to quarry stone for the construction of the Roman fortress (and, years later, possibly also Chester Castle) just over the river. It may have been the shrine of quarry workers, or it may have been used by travellers about to cross the River Dee (by a ford) - Minerva was Goddess of both craftsmen and travellers.

Explore this area further on the Chester Virtual Stroll

[edit] Roman Quay

Find out more on the Chester Virtual Stroll

[edit] Amphitheatre

Chester's amphitheatre lay outside the south-east corner of the legionary fortress, on a bluff overlooking the River Dee. Its main entrances faced north and south, with smaller entrances facing east and west. Roughly half of the Amphitheatre is uncovered. You can learn more by clicking on the title above. More can be found here on the Council website.

The Chester Virtual Stroll's amphitheatre pages

[edit] Gorse Stacks

[edit] East Wall

Explore this area on the Chester Virtual Stroll

[edit] North Wall

The Chester Virtual Stroll's North Wall page

[edit] Roman Strongroom

[edit] South East Angle Tower

Find out more on the Chester Virtual Stroll

[edit] North West Angle Tower

Explore this area on the Chester Virtual Stroll

[edit] A Walking Tour of Roman Chester

[edit] Links

Chester Tourist on Roman remains

Strickland on Roman remains

Roman finds at the Amphitheatre.

Chester: A Virtual Stroll Around the Walls