Castra Deva Victrix

Castra Deva Victrix is a Roman fortress in Chester, England, built from stone walls, corner towers, and a rectangular street grid. Inside lie the foundations of barrack buildings, a headquarters with a standards shrine, and warehouses for equipment and supplies.

Construction started in 79 CE as a base for the conquest of North Wales before the region came under Roman control. The Legio XX Valeria Victrix took over the camp from 88 CE and remained there into the fourth century, when Roman rule in Britain ended.

The name Deva comes from the Celtic word for the goddess of the River Dee, which flows through the city and supplied water to the Romans. Soldiers and civilians worshipped at several temples within the walls, including a shrine to eastern gods used by traders and legionaries from distant provinces.

The Roman walls are accessible on foot and run along modern streets, with several sections clearly visible. Local museums display finds from the camp, including weapons, coins, and everyday items belonging to the soldiers.

A rock-cut shrine to Minerva sits outside the walls in a former quarry cliff. The inscription names the quarry overseer who created the sanctuary in the second century and shows the Roman goddess wearing a helmet and holding a spear.