Segontium Roman Fort

Overlooking the Menai Strait, Segontium Roman Fort dates back to circa AD77, when Caesar Julius Agricola completed the Roman conquest of Wales by capturing the Isle of Anglesey. Named after the nearby river Seiont, it was without doubt one of the most important Roman garrisons at the western edge of the Roman Empire. During its active lifetime it was the military and administrative centre of north-west Wales.

Text-book Roman military in location and layout, it was designed to accommodate a regiment of infantry up to 1,000 strong. The site has defences of earth and timber, symmetrically placed gates and streets and timber-framed buildings in the standard arrangement known throughout Europe at the time.

Coins recovered show that Segontium was garrisioned until about AD 394. This long occupation can be explained by the fort's unique strategic position, controlling access to the fertile and mineral-rich lands of Anglesey, and later its defensive role against Irish raiders and pirates. The site also has a well laid out museum run by Segontium Cyf, exhibiting finds made during the famous excavations of Sir Mortimer Wheeler.

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