Caer Gybi Roman Fortlet

Standing at the centre of the seaside town of Holyhead in Anglesey are the remnants of an ancient fort that was built and manned by the great Roman Empire.

Caer Gybi Roman Fortlet is easy to find and a great place to learn about Wales’ ancient past.

Roman ruins in a pleasant town

Anglesey is a beautiful island in the north of Wales known for being a hotspot for ancient archaeological sites such as Caer Gybi Roman Fortlet.

Yet these ruins are unique in that you don’t need to go out and explore the vast countryside in order to find them.

The remnants of the fort remain in the town of Holyhead, within the town centre itself.

Caer Gybi Roman Fortlet is actually what gave the town its name, since the Welsh name for Holyhead is “Caergybi”.

There’s plenty to do around Holyhead while you’re visiting this fort.

It’s one of the most pleasant seaside towns in the whole of the UK (the perfect place to grab some fish and chips!), and for those who want more history, there’s so much more to learn at the museums and other historic landmarks here.

A monument to ancient Anglesey

Caer Gybi is one of the only Roman forts with three walls in Europe.

The fourth side overlooks the sea, suggesting it was part of a network of coastal defenses that the Romans might have used to keep raiders from Ireland at bay.

What walls the fort does have are large (13 feet tall!) and well preserved, and you can even see evidence of four towers that would have once risen above them.

Despite its ruined state, it’s still an impressive structure, and you’ll be able to imagine how much more imposing it would have looked in its prime.

A watchtower called Caer y Twr is thought to have been used as a lookout for this fort, where soldiers would keep an eye out for threats from the sea or the surrounding land.

The tower was built on the apex of Holyhead Mountain, where it had breathtaking views around Anglesey.

Climbing this mountain to where the tower would have once stood is a memorable adventure, and well worth the hike for the views at the top.

Later, Saint Cybi was granted ownership of the old fort and founded a monastery on its grounds.

The monastery (known as the Church of St Cybi) is still there today, and a smaller nearby chapel is said to mark the site of Saint Cybi’s grave.

This medieval church is the ideal place to escape for a peaceful half-hour.

Caer Gybi Roman Fortlet is one of the most ancient and interesting historic landmarks on Anglesey, with connections to the Romans, the Vikings, and the Celts.

Whether you’re here for the rich history, you’re visiting the church or you’re just passing through while you’re in lovely Holyhead, Caer Gybi is well worth stopping at.