Wroxeter Roman City, near Shrewsbury, in Shropshire, was once a legionary fortress and a thriving civilian city. Visitors still flock to the site in their thousands to explore the site museum, follow an audio tour around the town, and learn more about the military secrets, health and beauty practices of its 5,000 citizens.
In 2009 the site celebrates the 150th anniversary of its rediscovery by archaeologists, and site supervisor Steve Ames said its popularity remains as strong as ever, with visits from more than 30,000 children each year. “The Romans are on the curriculum for all school children and we’re the ‘local’ Roman city for a lot of schools,” he said.
Roman History
Wroxeter – known by the Romans as Viroconium – was the fourth largest city in Roman Britain, covering 200 acres of land surrounded by two miles of walls. It began as a legionary fortress and later developed into a thriving civilian city, populated by 5,000 retired soldiers and traders.
And Mr Ames said the Roman culture and civilisation still appeals to thousands of people today.
“We get some visitors from all over the country who have a specific interest in the Romans,” he said. “It’s something that all sorts of people are interested in – everyone gets an interest in the Romans at some point.”
The site boasts the remains of impressive second century municipal baths and the remains of the huge wall dividing them from the exercise hall in the heart of the city.
Wroxeter Timeline
- 122 AD - The Emperor Hadrian visits Britain
- 130 AD - The forum is dedicated to Hadrian. The city walls are extended and Viriconium is now the fourth largest city in Roman Britain.
- 150 AD - Work on the massive bath complex is restarted after a 30 year break. When completed it caters for 1,000 customers a day, rich and poor, men and woman.
- 170 AD - The forum is destroyed by a fire.
- 306 AD - The baths are refurbished after a long period of neglect.
- 378 AD - The baths are refurbished again adding more buildings.
- 400 AD - The main bath block falls into disuse again.
- 410 AD - The Romans leave Britain and Wroxeter takes on its own administration.
- 476 AD - Cunorix, who according to differing reports may have been an Irish military commander or a Welsh king, is buried in the town ramparts.
- 527 AD - The baths and the basilica are partly demolished and changed into a new marketplace, replacing the forum as the centre of trade.
- 542 AD - The town centre is redeveloped and a large wooden building replaces the basilica.
- 547 AD - The bubonic plague reaches the area, killing the Maelgwyn, king of Gwynedd.
- 642 AD - The bishop of Viriconium and many others leave the city, which dwindles to become the village of Wroxeter.
Visiting Viriconium
Now owned by English Heritage, the site is open for visitors year round, although is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays between November 2 and Febryary 28, and is closed during Christmas and New Year bank holidays.
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