History of Great Yarmouth and Gorleston-on-Sea
The Romans - Fort Builders
The town of Caister-on-Sea was built by the Romans to handle trade between Germany and East England. The Romans recognised the military importance of Caister-on-Sea and built a stone fort to protect the town from incursions by the Saxons.
In the 3rd century another fort was built named Gariannonum and is located at what is now called Burgh Castle. The walls of the fort still stand today and it is a massive structure, which gives some idea to the importance the romans gave to the region. Burgh Castle was much nearer to the sea in the time of the Romans and being located on a hill at the confluence of the River Waveney and the River Yare it provided an ideal location to halt any raids by Saxons which may have threatened Roman Norwich.
These two forts, because of there close proximity to each other, could offer mutual support when the need arose. These forts were part of a chain of forts which the romans built from the Wash to the Solent to protect England from raids by continental tribes.
Corner Tower at Gariannonum
Aerial view of Gariannonum
View of outer wall of Gariannonum
