Hadrian’s
Wall (United Kingdom): We visited the United Kingdom in
April/May 2002. During this period we visited many historic sites and
monuments. One of the most impressive was Hadrian’s Wall.
This amazing structure was built between A.D. 122 and 130 during the Roman
occupation of Britain. The wall was built across the narrowest part of England
and links the mouth of the River Tyne, in the east with the Solway Firth in
the west. The Roman Emperor Hadrian ordered the wall to be built to
“separate the Romans from the barbarians”. The Romans never occupied
Scotland and for three centuries the Wall was the northernmost frontier of the
Roman Empire.
Hadrian’s Wall was 117 kilometres (73 miles) long, between 2 to 3
metres thick and between 4 to 6 metres high. Forts, towers and garrisons
punctuated this remarkable frontier. It is thought that about 5000 men
garrisoned the barrier.
The wall is now only a shadow of its former self. Stone has been removed, over
the centuries, for all sorts of building construction. Even now it is still an
impressive structure and is only dwarfed by the Great Wall of China.
This view of the Wall was taken from Birdoswald near the western end. A museum
and bookshop is situated adjacent to the Wall.
There was some coming and going through the Wall as it was as much a
custom’s barrier as for military defence.
The small map shows the position of the Wall.