Naples underground

The BBC’s series that started last week with fabulous film and virtual reconstructions of tunnels and monuments under present day Naples (#invisiblecities #italy) reminded me of my mini-excursion underground in 2012. Roman remains are built into the arteries of underground Naples and I was fascinated to see how Roman walls and arches were criss-crossed with […]

Seven Roman sites you might like...

I’ve clambered over, through or on a fair bit of Roman Europe. Let me share a few with you…

My first Roman mosaic floor, Ampurias/Empúries, Catalonia I couldn’t believe what I was seeing and touching. The tiny exquisite tile pieces, the faultless geometric patterns, the vast expanse of it and the stunning setting by the […]

Isca Dumnoniorum, or Exeter to you and me

Isca Dumnoniorum c. AD 350

I’ve been over in Devon staying with my writing friend Helen Hollick for a week and yesterday we visited Exeter, including the museum. Of course, I went for the Roman stuff!

The Romans established a large castrum (fortified camp) named Isca around AD 55 at the southwest end […]