St Albans (Verulamium)
 Cathedrals |  Roman Britain |
Situated a little to the west of modern St Albans is Verulamium, one of the most important sites of Roman Britain. It was the third largest Romano-British city and is still largely free from later overbuilding with some 50% of its 200 acre site still awaiting excavation.
Originally a small military outpost guarding the River Ver crossing, the site rapidly developed to become a municipium (self-governing community) in about AD50. However, the violent uprising led by the vengeful Iceni Queen Boudicca saw the small township raised to the ground in AD60/61, a devastation from which the town took almost two decades to recover. The new forum and basilica were dedicated in AD79 during the governorship of Tacitus' father-in-law Agricola.
A further serious setback to the town's development occurred in about AD155 when a raging fire overwhelmed the settlement, burning-down most of the wooden structures. Henceforth, Verulamium's town houses were erected in stone for the first time, many with splendid mosaic floors. Stone temples were now built, along with a sizable theatre large enough to seat 6000 people. The monumental gateways on Watling Street, one facing London the other Chester, also belong to the building programme of the late 2nd century. Early in the 3rd century the earth ramparts were replaced with stone walls, sections of which are still visible at various points around modern St Albans. Saint Alban himself, became the first British Christian martyr when executed in the town in AD209 for refusing to abandon his religion. Today, the Cathedral that bears his name dominates the sky line of the town.
Recovering from the early setbacks, Verulamium prospered well into the 5th century, with evidence for many private dwellings flourishing, together with the continuance of a well-ordered life long after the legions had turned their back on Britain in AD407. St Germanus visited a thriving Verulamium in AD429, exploding the myth that all of Britain perished by Saxon fire and sword as soon as the Romans departed.
Apart from the on-going excavations, where much still lies undiscovered, other visible remains of Roman St Albans include several isolated fragments of the city walls, an amphitheatre, much of which is largely intact and the foundations of the massive London Gate. The local museum complements the remains in situ by providing a clear overview of St Alban's Roman period, as well as housing a wide-ranging display of Romano-British artefacts.