Castlefield, tucked away by Liverpool Road, is where Manchester all started nearly 2,000 years ago. Back then, the Roman fort here must’ve been a right sight to behold.
Mamucium, meaning “breast-shaped hill,” was set on a sandstone ridge where the Irwell and Medlock rivers meet. The rivers were full of salmon, and the five-acre fort was surrounded by woods where boar and deer roamed. The Romans picked this spot because it had natural defences and was a key stop for their legions. A sort of Roman motorway junction. Roads from the fort led north, south, and west, going to places like Ribchester, York, Buxton, Melandra (near Glossop), and Chester. Back then, Roman Manchester was Mamucium, a fortlet at Castleshaw near Oldham, and Melandra, which is now just a pile of foundations. But the Roman road at Doctor’s Gate near Glossop is still walked by many today.
The Romans stayed in Mamucium for 330 years, building and rebuilding the fort four times. The fort we see now in Castlefield is based on the fourth one, built from quarried stone, probably from Collyhurst, just down the road.
The Romans, led by Governor Julius Agricola, rocked up in 79AD. They quickly took care of the Brigantes, a tribe that was always at war with itself. Their queen, Cartimandua, was friendly with the Romans, so it was all pretty easy for them. You could say Cartimandua was the first “lady” of Manchester!
A historian named AJP Taylor once said Manchester had the least interesting Roman remains in England. But he got it wrong. The University of Manchester’s archaeologists dug up plenty of evidence, proving the Romans had a real presence here. The original fort was built from turf and wood, and the soldiers stationed there came from all over Europe – places like Spain and Romania.
The inscription on the reconstructed North Gate mentions soldiers from Rhaetia and Noricum (modern Austria) and their centurion, Lucius Senecianius Martius. An altar found at Castlefield backs this up.
Outside the fort’s northern gate, near where the Oxnoble Hotel is now, was a vicus (a civilian settlement). At its peak, this little neighbourhood had 2,000 people, including soldiers’ families, traders, and craftspeople. Some of them were making shields and armour for the troops. Today, you can see three restored buildings from the vicus: a house, a tavern, and a shop, all built with wattle and daub walls and roofs made from tile, slate, or thatch.
One of the most important things found in 1978 was a “word square” with the words “Pater Noster” (the Lord’s Prayer) on it. It’s the earliest Christian relic found in Britain, dating from around 170-175AD.
The reconstructed North Gate gives us a glimpse of what the fort looked like around 200AD. The fort was abandoned by 410AD, but the defensive ditches, Roman walls, and other structures still tell the story of those who lived and worked here.
From the West Wall, you can see the same view the Roman soldiers would’ve had, though today, you’re more likely to spot the tower blocks of Salford rather than the distant hills. You can find a fragment of the original stone wall under the railway viaducts near the canal, but it’s hidden behind railings to protect it.
The Romans also left behind their food and drink. In Castlefield’s Roman gardens, you can see plants they grew, like rosemary and fennel to mask the taste of old food, and vegetables like peas and celery. They also drank wine and beer, centuries before tea and coffee made their way here.
The granary, where the Romans stored grain, is another key feature. The building was raised off the ground on stone pillars to keep the grain dry and safe from rats. This wasn’t just for food; it was also a form of “income tax” for locals. The grain would be distributed to soldiers in weekly rations.
Castleton was nothing special 20 years ago. It was a rundown, neglected area full of crofts and overgrown waterways. But today, it’s Britain’s first urban heritage park, thanks to the work of the Central Manchester Development Corporation and the city council. The area’s been completely transformed, with restored warehouses, new walkways, and pubs like Dukes 92 bringing life to the canals. The lock-keeper’s cottage has been restored, and the old Duke of Bridgewater’s stables are now serving lunch.
Castlefield’s unique because it shows how the Romans laid the foundations for Manchester as we know it. It’s not just about ancient ruins; it’s about the spirit that built this city. The Romans may have left in 411AD, but their influence stuck around. Their mix of cultures – wine, garlic, olive oil, and spices – set the tone for what Manchester would become: a place full of different cultures coming together. And hey, if you’re eating pizza, just remember: it’s been part of Manchester for nearly 2,000 years!
