The Vallum Crossing at Benwell in Newcastle is located along Hadrian's Wall. This was a controlled crossing over the vallum, an earthwork built for extra military defence to the south of the wall. The vallum was a large mound of earth with a flat ditch. Entry and exit was authorised only for certain people. The fort of Condercum was located beyond this gateway. When the fort was no longer needed, the civilian settlement was built over the top of the fort. Today, the ruins exist in between homes of a modern development, and the fort has been built on top of with modern homes.
A fort was built on this site because of the expansive view below and over the Tyne, and the name of the fort means "place with a fair view".
For additional Hadrian's Wall posts, see:
Leave a comment