Hi everyone!

This magnificent example of a fort is known as 'The Gateway To Britain' and is the oldest defensive Roman stronghold in Britain. First built by invading forces in 43AD, it quickly became a port bringing in vital supplies for the Roman military and was used up until the full withdrawal in 410AD.

Once sat on an island just off the coast, it offered a vantage point over a sea channel that continued north west towards Reculver (the site of another fort now lost to the sea) and was a key sailing route into the city of Canterbury.

The gatehouse seen just inside the walls was built in 2007, it is in the exact location of the original and is an exact replica of what experts believe the main gatehouse looked like.
Screenshot 2025-04-10 at 17.27.41.png

The outer defensive walls trenches are incredibly well preserved. Experts believe they were added to the port town around 280AD in response to increased invasion attempts from both domestic Anglo and foreign Frankish forces across the channel.
From the ground the walls are absolutely huge in terms of both height and depth. If enemies ever made it this far - it must have been a demoralising sight to say the least.
Screenshot 2025-04-10 at 17.28.41.png
Screenshot 2025-04-10 at 17.28.31.png
Screenshot 2025-04-10 at 17.27.51.png
Seen below are foundations for a few buildings of the earliest port- an inn, bathhouse and a church. The corner of the walls can be seen just above it. Natural erosion caused the east wall to gradually fall away.
Screenshot 2025-04-10 at 17.25.57.png
Screenshot 2025-04-10 at 17.24.45.png
Screenshot 2025-04-10 at 17.25.34.png
Seen above and below- The huge concrete area was the base of a 25 metre tall marble clad arch similar to the Duke of Wellington Arch in London.
Screenshot 2025-04-10 at 17.25.03.png

Screenshot 2025-04-10 at 17.25.13.png
Screenshot 2025-04-10 at 17.26.17.png
Screenshot 2025-04-10 at 17.25.44.png
Screenshot 2025-04-10 at 17.27.29.png

Just outside the fort is the site of an amphitheatre. It hosted gladiator fights and wild animal hunts for residents and visitors to attend.

Screenshot 2025-04-23 at 20.12.27.png

I made sure to check I took off from the road which is outside of English Heritage land.
As the area is exposed on a hillside, the gusts were very high to the point where the drone couldn't handle flying side to side and even got blown around a little whilst taking top down shots which was a little unnerving but it was fun to see the operating limits.

Take care everyone!

#amazingnature #architecture #archon #creativecoin #curation #OCD #GEMS #photos #proofofbrain #alive #cent #ctp #pimp

View on Ecency here:
https://ecency.com/@bombaycrypto

See my Travel Feed profile here:
https://travelfeed.com/@bombaycrypto/map

Don't forget to tell your friends and join our community!
@Ecency link:
https://ecency.com/created/hive-186141