Right here, beneath the A2, lies the Springhead Roman site. Imagine this place as a thriving religious center, a sanctuary built around sacred springs that flowed from the earth. You’re standing at the heart of Vagniacae, as it was known to the Romans, a site steeped in history and a testament to the enduring power of faith.
For centuries, people were drawn to the eight springs here. The Celts, the first inhabitants of this valley, saw a sacred power in the water, using it in rituals and offering gifts in exchange for its blessings. When the Romans arrived, they saw this site, too, as a place of spiritual significance. They built temples, shrines, and grand structures around the springs, making Vagniacae a major regional religious center.
This site, a meeting place for trade and religious devotions, was a bustling hub for its time. People from all corners of the Empire came here to pray, trade, and perhaps even to seek healing from the magical waters. Remains of shops, workshops, and houses have been unearthed, telling us stories of daily life in this ancient settlement.
The power of the Springhead Roman site might be hidden now, under the A2 and the surrounding landscape, but its history continues to ripple through time. We stand here today on sacred ground, still connected to the past by the legacy of the people who lived, worshipped, and traded in this place.