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Verulamium (St Albans)

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description Verulamium (St Albans) Overview

Verulamium is a major Roman archaeological site located beneath the modern city of St Albans in Hertfordshire, England. Built over an earlier Celtic settlement, it became one of the largest and most important towns in Roman Britain and was granted the status of a municipium. The site's excavated remains include the largest Roman theater in Britain, extensive city walls, hypocausts, and several well-preserved mosaic floors. The town was famously destroyed during the Boudican revolt of 60-61 CE before being rebuilt with grander public buildings.

help Verulamium (St Albans) FAQ

What can you see at the Verulamium archaeological site today?

Visitors to Verulamium in St Albans can see visible Roman remains including the hypocaust system, sections of the Roman wall, and mosaics within Verulamium Park. The nearby Verulamium Museum displays artifacts excavated from the site, including some of the finest Roman mosaics and wall plasters found in Britain.

What happened to Verulamium during Boudicca's rebellion?

Verulamium was sacked and burned by Boudicca and the Iceni during their revolt against Roman rule in approximately 60–61 AD. The town was subsequently rebuilt on a larger scale and went on to become one of the most important urban centers in Roman Britain.

What was special about Verulamium's legal status under Roman rule?

Verulamium was granted the status of a municipium, a designation that gave its free-born citizens rights approaching those of Roman citizens. This was a rare distinction in Roman Britain, reflecting the town's significance as a civic and administrative center.

Who was Verulamium named after in the pre-Roman period?

Verulamium was built over an earlier Celtic settlement associated with the Catuvellauni tribe, and the site's pre-Roman name is believed to have been Verlamion. The Roman name Verulamium is a Latinized adaptation of this earlier British toponym.

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