7 Incredible Roman Ruins Not In Italy

You can find incredible Roman Ruins in Europe. The Roman Empire stretched from Great Britain to Iran.

 

The Roman Empire lasted for 1000 years and in its heyday, stretched from the British Isles to present-day Iran. Luckily the Romans were remarkable engineers. Witness the Colosseum, built in 80 AD. it is the largest amphitheater in the world and today is the number one tourist attraction in Italy. 

However, you don’t need to go to Rome to see ancient Roman ruins and amphitheaters. The power of the Roman Empire (and proof of the skill of those incredible engineers) can be seen throughout Europe, especially in the UK, France, England, Croatia, and Turkey. Those are just a few of the places where you can find outstanding Roman history and archaeological sites; many are designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites. 

Let’s Discover 7 Incredible Roman Ruins in Europe

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Roman Ruins in France

The Pont du Gard, Languedoc

 Located in a 165-hectare park, with hiking trails, kayaking, and picnic opportunities, the Pont du Gard, A Roman bridge and aqueduct, is one of the most impressive examples of Roman engineering I’ve encountered. Built in the 1st century AD, it was meant to transport water to the city of Nimes, referred to at the time as the Rome of France.

Spanning the River Gardon, it is the best preserved of the Roman aqueducts and it’s huge! After catching my breath I simply wanted to sit and soak in the beauty. 

As a couple went kayaking past on the river,  I soon wished that I had time to do the same! You can also walk across the bridge from one side to the other. This marvel of engineering became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985.

 I visited as part of a shore excursion with Viking Cruises on the Provence to Lyon itinerary. 

 

 

The Colosseum, Arles

Arles is one of the most charming cities in Provence. Located on the Mediterranean, the city was home to the artist Vincent Van Gogh during a prolific period of his life.

Did you know that in Arles there’s an ancient Roman amphitheater completely intact? It seated 20,000 spectators for gladiatorial games. Today, Les Arénes (arena) is a venue for bullfights and concerts. Historians believe that the key reason it is so well preserved is that during Medieval times people lived within the surround of the amphitheater. A similar situation happened in Split, at Diocletian’s palace. It would certainly be easier to defend the arena than a town or village on an open plain. 

Vienne 

If you have never been to Rome, Vienne may make you wonder where you are! Roman ruins can be seen throughout the city of  Vienne, located on the Rhone River just south of the city of Lyon. 

Vienne was an important Roman colony in 47 BC. Located at the junction of the Rhone and Gere Rivers, Vienne served as a strategic outpost and a crossroad of commerce and wine for the Western Roman Empire.

When walking through the city center, you will come upon the namesake Temple of Augustus and Livia. Built in 10 BC, it was dedicated to Emperor Augustus and Livia following the death of Julius Caesar. After the fall of the Roman Empire, it functioned as a church, which is probably why it was not torn down.

Today it is surrounded by cafes and shops. The surprise of seeing this well-preserved temple was a highlight of my time in Vienne, also part of the Viking Provence to Lyon River cruise.

 

 

Other examples of Roman archaeology are the ancient ramparts and aqueducts and the Roman Circus, a track for chariot races. The Roman arena in Vienne seated 13,000 people. In 1922, it was discovered beneath thousands of years of rubble and excavated.

Pro tip: For a view across the Rhone River, take a drive to Mt. Pipet. 

England

 

 

Bath, Somerset County

In the first century AD, the Romans discovered hot springs and established a fort at the site. Later, they built a large spa complex, which today is the city of Bath. They named the site Aquae Sulis and dedicated it to the goddess Sulis Minerva. People came from afar to visit the public bath house, worship the goddess of wisdom, and bathe in the healing waters of the thermal springs. 

The site fell into disrepair after the Romans departed; it was later destroyed by floods. It wasn’t until 1878 that a geologist discovered the ruins of the Roman baths and work began to uncover them.

The Roman Baths complex consists of several key features, including the Sacred Spring, the Roman Temple, the Roman Bath House, and the museum. The architecture reflects the Roman engineering and design principles of the time, with intricate mosaics, grand columns, and elaborate plumbing systems.

 

 

The museum displays artifacts recovered from the site, including coins, jewelry, and religious objects. Be sure to take the self-guided audio tour or book a guided tour.

Bath is the only city in the UK  designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. I spent three days there but you could spend more. There is a lot to see in Bath.

Pro tip: No matter where you stay in the historic center of Bath, you’ll be a short walk away from the Roman Baths.  Be sure to read my articles about visiting Wiltshire and Somerset Counties.

 

Hadrian’s Wall

Hadrian’s Wall is a remarkable legacy of the Romans who ruled Great Britain for 400 years. The remains of the wall are located in far northern England near the Scottish border. 

It was under Emperor Hadrian that construction of the namesake defensive stone walls began.  A massive undertaking, the construction of Hadrian’s employed soldiers of the Roman army, including auxiliary units and specialized engineering corps.

Along the way, the Romans built fortifications, fortified gates, towers, milecastles (small forts), and turrets. Settlements developed, with people coming from as far away as Syria. 

You can hike the entire 80 or so miles from coast to coast or you can hike a portion of the wall.  Be sure to do your research and plan carefully as I”‘ve read that accommodations are scarce. Or you can plan a visit to a section of the wall like Housesteads Roman Fort, said to be the best example of a Roman fort in Britain.

Today, Hadrian’s Wall is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

Split, Croatia

The Roman Emperor Diocletian built a massive residence in Split on the harbor facing the Adriatic Sea in the 4th century AD. It was more like a huge fortress than a palace; the complex incorporates a cellar, thermal baths, a mausoleum, a temple, and private apartments. There was also housing for the garrison. 

After the fall of the Roman Empire, the palace fell to ruin. During the Middle Ages, a city sprang within and around the crumbling walls. Today, Diocletian’s Palace is part of the old town and the city walls. Can you imagine living in the remains of an ancient Roman palace? 

Regarded as one of the most important architectural and cultural features on the Dalmatian coast, Diolcletian’s Palace is the finest example of a complete Roman palace. Season 4 of Game of Thrones and a season of The Amazing Race were filmed here.  I can’t wait to visit Split on the Viking Sky Mediterranean Odyssey Cruise!

Aspendos Theater, Turkey

For a chance to experience a live music performance in an ancient Roman amphitheater,  travel to the city of Aspendos in southern Turkey.  It was under the rule of Marcus Aurelius that this UNESCO World Heritage Site, one of the best preserved in the world, was constructed.  It is much smaller than the Colosseum in Rome, which would hold 50,000. Today, you can see a ballet or opera performance in the theater, which boasts excellent acoustics.

If you still aren’t convinced that this theater is worth a trip to Turkey, consider the words of archaeologist David George Hogarth, whom I will paraphrase: You may feel burnt out by ancient ruins, but you haven’t seen the theater in Aspendos, yet. 

Other places where you can find Roman ruins include Albania, Germany, Spain, Algeria, Syria, Jordan, Egypt, Lebanon, and Portugal. Whew! Those Romans were busy. 

Leave a comment and let me know which Roman ruins sites you’ve visited.