Eboracum Archaeological Site

Address: Eboracum (Roman York) - central York, England (Roman site/remains across the city)

Eboracum was the Roman fortress and town on the site of present-day York in northern England, established in the Roman period as a military base and later a civic centre. It served as one of the major Roman strongholds in northern Britannia.

The site includes the layout of a legionary fortress, defensive works and contiguous civilian settlements; archaeological finds include altars, inscriptions and building remains now held in local museums. Visitors can see fragments of the Roman walls and interpreted displays in York’s museums.

Founded as a military fort in the first century AD, Eboracum developed into a regional centre during the Roman occupation of Britain; its historical record includes the event in AD 306 when Constantine was acclaimed emperor while stationed there. Over the late Roman and post-Roman periods the site was adapted and partially reused in later medieval construction.

Eboracum lies within the historic core of modern York in North Yorkshire, England, with visible remains concentrated around the city centre and along the line of the old Roman and medieval walls.

• Eboracum is Roman York: The Roman name Eboracum refers to what is now the city of York; substantial Roman-era remains are integrated into the modern city and its museums.
• Constantine’s proclamation: The proclamation of Constantine the Great as emperor in AD 306 took place at Eboracum, an important historic event linked to the site.

What to See#

• Roman fortress (Eboracum) site: Remains of the Roman legionary fortress laid out in a rectangular plan with internal streets and barracks; substantial traces survive below and within the medieval and modern street plan of York.
• Multangular Tower and Roman walls: A polygonal defensive tower and sections of the Roman city walls that are visible today as part of York’s medieval walls, showing Roman foundations and later reuse.
• Roman collections in local museums: Collections of Roman artefacts and inscriptions displayed in local museums, including sculptures, altars and everyday objects excavated from the Roman city and its cemeteries.

Eboracum refers to the city of York. York is served by direct intercity trains (LNER) from London King’s Cross and by TransPennine/Northern services from Leeds, Manchester and other northern cities. From York railway station the historic city centre (site of Roman Eboracum) is a 10-15 minute walk along Station Road. By road York is on the A64 and well signed from surrounding cities.

• Start at the Yorkshire Museum and Museum Gardens to see the best-preserved Roman remains and the Multangular Tower before walking a section of the city walls-the museum's Roman displays contextualise the visible ruins and are often missed by casual visitors.
• Do the city‑wall walk early or late in the day to combine panoramic views with quieter Roman sites between the major tourist flows around the Minster.