Venta Silurum

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The remains of the town wall.
The remains of the town wall.

Venta Silurum was a town in the Roman province of Britannia. Today it consists of remains in the village of Caerwent in Monmouthshire. Much of it has been excavated and is on display to the public.

[edit] Town

Venta was founded by the Romans in AD 75 as a market town for the defeated Silures tribe. Unusually, it remained occupied until at least the mid-5th century. By the 6th century, there was a Christian cemetery around the site of the present church, traditionally a monastery founded by Saint Tatheus.

[edit] Remains

  • 'CIVITAS SILVRVM' stone in the church porch.
  • Large sections of the Roman town walls, rising up to 5 metres.
  • Polygonal towers dated to the mid-300s.
  • The Roman basilica and part of the forum.
  • A Roman temple.
  • A Roman courtyard house.
  • Roman shops including a blacksmith's.
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