A Roman Fort

The oldest building in the Portsmouth area, Portchester Castle standing at the apex of the harbour, remains the only roman fort in Northern Europe whose enclosure stands virtually inviolate and has walls to their original true height. It has, of course, been repaired several times but it retains its almost perfect square shape and 14 of its original 20 bastions. It was built in the third century so has stood proud through its varied uses for the last 1700 years.