Caerleon, Historic Roman settlement in Newport, Wales
Caerleon is a place in the Newport area of Wales that grew around the remains of a Roman garrison and now lies as a village on the River Usk. The settlement preserves parts of an amphitheater with stone walls and grass seating, an extensive bath complex with heated rooms and swimming pools, and a museum with finds from the occupation period.
The Romans built the legionary fortress Isca Augusta from 75 CE as the base of Legio II Augusta and maintained it until around 300 CE as a garrison on the frontier of the empire. After the Roman withdrawal the fortress decayed, stones were built into churches and farmhouses, and the remains lay hidden under fields for centuries.
Remains of the bath complex lie open in the village center and can be walked through at any time, while a nearby chapel reused medieval stones from the fortress. The museum displays weapons, pottery and everyday items from the garrison period in cases that illustrate soldier routines.
The amphitheater and bath ruins lie in the village center and are freely accessible, while the museum has regular opening hours. Paths on the site are mostly level and short, only the climb to the Iron Age hill at Lodge Wood requires some stamina.
Beneath the church of St Cadoc lie unexcavated Roman buildings, as the graveyard prevents any further digging. Local legend claims Caerleon was the court of King Arthur, because medieval writers connected the ruins with accounts of Camelot.
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