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All the United Kingdom England Lincoln Newport Arch

Newport Arch

Modern commuters still pass through this 2,000-year-old Roman archway.

Lincoln, England

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Alan Newman
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Modern cars still pass under this ancient Roman arch.   Martin Speck
Autumn PM 2024   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
The arch.   Maksim.
The arch.   Richard Croft
The arch.   Tom Howard
The arch.   Ashley Dace
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Every day, modern commuters drive beneath this nearly 2,000-year-old Roman archway. They pass through a portal believed to be the oldest arch still used by traffic in the United Kingdom.

Originally, the opening allowed Ermine Street, a Roman Road, to pass into what was then the town of Lindum Colonia. It was built to mark the establishment of the "colonia," a self-governing settlement for retired legionaries in the third century.

Their wall encased the city, though now little more remains than a few fragments. The inner wall of the once-impressive fortified gatehouse managed to survive throughout the centuries, as did this arch, which originally let horse-drawn traffic pass through. Next to it there's a smaller portal, one of two pedestrian arches that originally flanked the main opening. 

Modern travelers still pass beneath the old stones, though they've traded in carriages and buggies for a different sort of horse power. Unfortunately for the archway, these speeding cars and enormous trucks may eventually be its downfall.

In 1964, a truck hit the arch while passing through it and caused extensive damage. This has been completely restored, though other oversized vehicles have since also struck, gotten stuck in, or otherwise damaged the opening throughout the years.

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Walls Roman Roads Roadside Attractions Infrastructure

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Dr Alan P Newman

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SEANETTA

  • SEANETTA

Published

March 13, 2018

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Newport Arch
Newport
Lincoln, England
United Kingdom
53.237104, -0.538181
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