Castell Collen

Castell Collen is a Roman fort in southern Powys, standing beside the River Ieithon near Llandrindod. It may have been named after Saint Collen, who is said to have built a chapel there in the 6th century. The fort occupies a gently rising piece of land between two streams, offering a clear view of the surrounding countryside. Excavations in 1911–13 and 1954–7 revealed four building phases, starting under Emperor Titus. The fort once covered about two hectares but was later reduced to 1.44 hectares, still large enough for a cohort of around five hundred soldiers. Its southern edge lay within the territory of the Ordovices tribe. At the centre stand the remains of a large headquarters building, first in timber then rebuilt in stone like the walls. In the south-west corner a substantial Roman bath-house survives, measuring roughly thirty-six metres by fifteen, with tiled floors. Two Roman roads lead south from the fort: one heads south-west to Maridunum (Carmarthen) and the other south-east to Llanfair-ym-Muallt and on to Caerwent. A possible northern route may have linked the fort to Caersŵs. Finds from the site, including tiles and tools, are displayed in Llandrindod Museum.