Attractions

Centuries before London , Paris , New York and Milan became the shopping capitals of the world, those in the know probably came to Caerwent.

The best hot springs may well have been at the place we now call Bath , but in its heyday Caerwent was the largest Roman settlement in Wales , providing a civilian base within easy reach of the legionary base at Caerleon.  

Tom Scott, from Time Team, explained the site's significance. 'The site ... is one of the best-preserved Roman towns in the UK ...; this type of town, a 'civitas capital' is one of around fifteen in the UK . Most of these had later towns built on top so you can't see the town walls, but Caerwent is beautifully preserved. To be able to see the town walls on the south side - up to four metres high - is amazing, definitely the best in the country.'

Seven trenches were dug in previously unexcavated parts of the village, uncovering long thin buildings believed to have been high street shops, where stylish Romans would have bought the latest fashions, as well as the intricate jewellery for which they are renowned. Among the finds were the beautifully carved hilt of a penknife, made of bone and depicting a fight between two gladiators, as well as coins, glass and the remains of mosaics, providing further evidence of the scale and grandeur of the buildings that once stood here.

In fact, it's believed that many wealthy people lived in villas surrounding Caerwent, or Venta Silurum as it was then known, and a previously undiscovered villa and bath house were also discovered during the dig.

It's thought that Venta Silurum is so well preserved because it was not demolished and rebuilt like so many other Roman towns; instead it simply declined and was eventually abandoned, leaving behind the perfect monument to the wisdom and ingenuity of its builders.

The remains are available to view all year round at any time and are well worth seeing, if only to illustrate the transience of human endeavour, even at its greatest scale. Then, why not make the short trip to the Roman Legionary Museum at Caerleon, to learn how Roman soldiers lived and were trained to become the all-conquering fighting force of legend.