Verulamium

Verulamium was a major Roman town located at the site of present-day St Albans, in Hertfordshire, England, about 20 miles north of London. The name Verulamium derives from the Latin name given to the town, associated with the nearby River Ver. The site had earlier Iron Age significance as a large oppidum of the Catuvellauni before Roman conquest.

Following Roman occupation from around AD 60–70, Verulamium became a planned urban center with a grid layout enclosed by walls. It developed into one of the principal towns in Roman Britain outside Londinium, serving as an administrative and commercial hub. Public buildings included a forum and basilica, as well as baths; later remains suggest the presence of a theatre. Wealth from trade and crafts supported the town, which lay on important communication routes linking London with the provinces.

By the 4th century, Verulamium declined as urban life diminished in many parts of Roman Britain. In the ensuing centuries, the site was largely abandoned, and Viking and Saxon activity in the region reduced the Old Roman footprint. The modern town of St Albans grew nearby.

Archaeology: Since the 19th century, systematic excavations have uncovered substantial remains, including walls, foundations, and artifacts. Today the site is integrated into Verulamium Park, and the Verulamium Museum in St Albans houses artifacts and interprets the town’s history, with many objects from the site on display.