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Roman Chester

The information presented on these Chester pages is based on the Chester City Centre Street Map and Guide

Modern Chester stands on the site of a Roman fortress called Dewa, which was built around AD 79 as a military base. There are several remains from the Roman period dotted about Chester, including the Roman Harbour Wall around part of the racecourse (A5), and the Roman Strongroom (B3). The Grosvenor Museum, 27 Grosvenor Street (B5) has many Roman artefacts including gravestones and altars, and displays on the history and construction of the fortress (see under "Museums" for more information).

DEWA ROMAN EXPERIENCE, Pierpoint Lane (B4). Tel: 343407. Open every day except Christmas Day and Boxing Day 9am-5pm. Experience life on a
Roman Galley and relive the sights, sounds and smells of daily Roman life with a variety of characters who may have lived in Dewa. Then you can discover the archaeological remains of Roman, Saxon and Medieval life which have been preserved beneath the streets and buildings of modern Chester, until recently unearthed by archaeologists. Don't miss this opportunity to handle some of the items found during excavations in the "hands-on" area of the museum. The gift shop, which sells authentic antiquities, completes this unique and exciting experience. Good disabled access except to the "hands-on" area.

ROMAN AMPHITHEATRE, Little Saint John Street (D4). Open from Easter to September 10am-6pm daily; October to Easter 10am-1pm and 2pm-4pm daily. This is the largest Roman amphitheatre in Britain and held about 7000 people. Only the northern part has been excavated. It was used for military practice, gladiator fights and public executions.

ROMAN GARDEN, Souter's Lane (D4). This garden was designed in 1949 and contains Roman stone remains found during excavations, a mosaic, and a reconstruction of a hypocaust, the ancient Roman heating system by which hot air was circulated under the floor of a building. Over the road from the garden entrance are the remains of the Angle Tower that was part of the original Roman city wall.

MINERVA SHRINE, Edgar's Field (C6). Minerva was the Roman goddess of wisdom, and this shrine, carved into the rock in a Roman quarry nearly 2000 years ago, is the only one of its kind preserved at its original site.

For further information about Chester, including a free visitor pack, please contact the Chester Visitor Information Centre.