The Roman Trail of Lincoln

Between AD50-60 a legionary fortress was built by the Romans in Lincoln and the city became known as Lindum Colonia. Follow the Roman Trail to see remains of this ancient city today.

Four gateways were built to go in and out of Lindum Colonia which was built of large stone buildings, reflecting its status as a model of Roman urbanism. The city eventually expanded down the hill and the original wooden defences were fronted in stone during the early 2nd century.

Many of these substantial structures can still be seen today including the country's only remaining Roman arch still used by traffic and part of a city gate built into shops on Steep Hill.

The Lincoln Roman Trail will take you around the remains of the Roman city in the Cathedral Quarter and to The Lincoln Museum where a display of more Roman artefacts can be found. There are also points of interest further south in the city to discover.

Roman Artefacts on display at Lincoln Museum — Roman Artefacts on display at The Lincoln Museum.

Welcome to 'Lindum', a thriving Roman colony.

In AD43, the Roman Emperor Claudius and an army of 40,000 soldiers arrived on the south coast of Britain. Between AD50-60 the Ninth Legion Hispana had arrived in Lincoln.

The Romans built a legionary fortress at the top of the hill. The fortress was defended by a deep ditch with an earth bank held in place with timber revetments and with wooden towers at intervals along the wall. Four gateways were built; North, South, East and West.

From about AD90, the site became a colonia, a self-governing town for retired legionaries, named Lindum Colonia. This important Roman city was built of large stone buildings reflecting its status as a model of Roman urbanism. The interior of the city was full of houses, shops, workshops, temples and bath houses. Many of these structures were decorated with painted wall plaster and floored with high-quality mosaics over underfloor heating.

The central site of the former legionary headquarters became the forum and basilica, which was the very centre of Roman public life. It contained law courts, civic offices, markets and workshops. The city expanded and spread down the hill.

The original wooden defences of the upper city were fronted in stone during the early 2nd century. The new walls were later extended to include the lower part of city; new stone gates were also built. These are the substantial structures that you can still see parts of today.

Follow the trail and explore Roman Lincoln for yourself.