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13. Leicester (7) The Jewry Wall, Roman Baths, Museum & St Nicholas Church
The Roman name for Leicester was Ratae Coritanorum (in Saxon times Leicester is known as Legorensis civitas in the kingdom of Mercia). The Jewry Wall archaeological site, part of the foundations-remains of the Roman public baths built between AD 145 and AD 170, and one of the best preserved Roman ruins in Leicestershire. The church of St Nicholas is in the background, and not surprisingly, it reuses some of the Roman masonry in its construction e.g. you can see thin red Roman bricks in parts of the walls.
Close up of the Roman Baths Jewry Wall from the entrance to the Jewry Wall museum, which is well worth a visit for any tourist-visitor passing through, or staying in Leicester.
The Jewry Wall Museum, Leicester. On display are the remains of a painted wall from the Norfolk Street Roman villa archaeological site and also a mosaic pavement.
The remains of a Roman mosaic floor in the Jewry Wall Museum.
Sections of the Jewry Walls of the Roman Baths remains in Leicester and some fragments of Roman columns in St Nicholas churchyard. The typical thin red bricks used throughout the Roman Empire are clearly visible as well as quite rough masonry and the foundations of the Roman Baths are seen through the arches below the Jewry Walls.
The Roman Jewry Wall and St Nicholas Church behind.
The south wall of St. Nicholas Saxon-medieval Church which still retains some of its Saxon origins in the nave and north walls in particular. The Normans rebuilt parts of the Saxon church and added to the structure.
St Nicholas Church, the protruding north wall retains some Saxon stonework in parts of the north facing walls and windows.
Details of the varied style of arches on the tower of St Nicholas Church. |
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