In 1971 a remarkable Roman discovery was made in Exeter, yet it lies buried beneath our feet to this day. In the early 1970s, it was still possible to park cars and lorries within just a few yards. In 2014/2015, grand plans were being presented by Exeter Cathedral - supported by experts, local authorities and the residents of Exeter - to uncover the Roman Bath House once again and allow the world to see them as an attraction.
Giving a much-needed insight into Exeter's history, and furthermore, Roman history as a whole. City walls, Exeter. Some of the stonework is medieval.
Exeter's amazing Roman baths hidden beneath our feet - Devon Live
Isca Dumnoniorum, also known simply as Isca, was originally a Roman legionary fortress for the Second Augustan Legion (established c. AD 55) in the Roman province of Britannia at the site of present-day Exeter in Devon. The town grew up around this fortress and served as the tribal capital of the Dumnonians under and after the Romans.
[1. The bath house, and other discoveries in the late 1960's in Exeter and beyond, suggested a larger and more important settlement. It has since been found that the Roman presence in the south west was larger and more permanent, than first thought.
Exeter's amazing Roman baths hidden beneath our feet - Devon Live
In fact Devon perhaps has the largest number of Roman fort remains in the south of England. "The Roman military bathhouse at Exeter was the first-ever stone-built monumental building in the southwest of England," he said. The Roman fortress at Exeter was manned by the Second Augustan Legion of perhaps, 5,000 legionaries and 500 cavalry who were housed in timber barracks surrounded by defensive ditches and a turf rampart enclosing 41.
An English city plans to re-expose early Roman baths. Exeter, England - It's doubtful that readers will have heard much about this historically fascinating city - which is a great shame, as Exeter has much to offer. The city only has herself to blame for the discrepancy, however.
Exeter Memories - the Roman Bathhouse
In the 1970s a Roman Legionary Bathhouse was discovered in Exeter. This picture was taken on Exeter Cathedral Green. To keep it safe, it was filled it in with sand, before putting back the grass and road (now paved steps).
The military bathhouse was inside the fortress and was not open to ordinary people. It was demolished when the legion left in 70 AD. However new public bathhouse was built.
Part of the Roman bath house, the Deanery Garden, Exeter. The bath house was one of the principal public buildings of a Roman town. The practice of communal bathing was an integral part of Roman urban life, and the public bath house served an important function as a place for relaxation and social congregation as well as exercise and hygiene.
In 1971, the ancient city of Exeter revealed a hidden treasure buried beneath its bustling streets - a remarkable set of Roman Baths dating back nearly 2,000 years. Discovered during excavation works for an underground car park, these baths shed light on Exeter's rich Roman heritage and offer visitors a fascinating glimpse into the past. Today, the story of Exeter's Roman Baths is.
St Catherine's Chapel and Almhouse Built atop Roman city walls, this medieval chapel provides a glimpse of how Roman structures were incorporated into later settlements. Exeter is also home to a number of excavated remains which help shed light on the city's early development. Roman Bath House.
