The History of Chester can be dated back to the Romans who named Chester Deva (pronounced Dewa) after the spirit of the River Dee. Roman Chester was considered as important then as Londinium (London). The Romans didn't just create a small fort here, they meant to stay, building a city for their 20th Legion. The Romans built Chester as a strategic position at the centre of Roman Britain, with plans to sail from the River Dee to invade Ireland and North Wales.

Today you can still walk along Roman roads in the centre of Chester; Via Praetoria and Via Principalis (Now Bridge St and Eastgate). The Romans also built a network of roads from the South East of Britain to Chester and on North to Hadrian's Wall.

Good dates to see Roman soldiers dressed in all their battle armour is to visit Chester during either :

• Roman Day - Chester Races (30th June 2007)
• The Lord Mayor's Parade (July)
• National Archaeology Day (July)
• Roman Saturnalia parade (December)

(above) Photo Gallery : The Roman's marching through Chester

Here are some good starting places if you would like to learn more about The Romans & Roman Chester :

• Roman Tours Ltd
  - Real Roman Soldiers still in Chester today! Bringing The Romans to life for Schools and Events.
• The Dewa Roman Experience
  - The Roman Museum located just off Bridge Street.
• The Grosvenor Museum
  - A good display of Roman artifacts found in Chester.
• Notes On A Roman Military Fortress
  - A history of Chester by Phillip Jones

The Roman Gardens In Chester

In the Roman Gardens you can see Roman artifacts, stone column bases and a hypocaust (Roman under-floor heating). Panoramic Photo of Roman Gardens Here. A walk through the gardens takes you down some steps to the River Dee.