Roman City Venta Silurum

Venta Silurum was founded shortly after 78 AD, following the cessation of the Silures' resistance to Roman expansion. The city was laid out according to Roman standards with a rectangular street grid. Initial fortifications, consisting of earthworks and ditches, were constructed in the second half of the second century. In the fourth century, these earthworks were faced with stone. The city, which covered an area of about 18 hectares, was abandoned in the fifth century. The forum, which formed the city's center, comprised an open square surrounded by shops and a basilica to the north. Coin finds suggest that the forum was built during the time of Emperor Hadrian. East of the forum stood a Gallo-Roman temple, likely dedicated to Mars. Other structures, such as an amphitheater, circular temples, and baths, as well as richly decorated peristyle houses, characterized the cityscape.

The ancient city of Venta Silurum is located in Caerwent, in the county of Monmouthshire (Sir Fynwy) in Wales, United Kingdom, at an elevation of approximately 26 m above sea level.

The Roman city of Venta Silurum can be visited today. A large part of the area has not been built over, which allowed for extensive excavations and makes the site one of the best-researched Roman civilian settlements in Britain. Particularly impressive are the preserved city walls, which stand up to 5.2 meters high.

• Chepstow Castle (ruin), approx. 7.4 km away
• Piercefield House (ruin) (mansion and estate), approx. 7.8 km away
• Roman Fort Isca Silurum (ancient structures), approx. 13.1 km away
• Monmouth Castle (ruin), approx. 22.7 km away