London Wall facts for kids

Londinium in 400 AD showing the Roman wall

The London Wall was a huge protective wall built by the Romans around their city of Londinium. Londinium was the old name for London. Back then, just like today, it was a very important port city right on the River Thames.

Today, "London Wall" is also the name of a road in the City of London. This road follows part of where the old Roman wall used to stand. For many hundreds of years, right up until the Middle Ages, this wall showed exactly where the City of London ended.

What Was the London Wall?

The London Wall was a strong defensive barrier. It was built to protect the Roman city of Londinium from attacks. Imagine a giant fence made of stone, surrounding the entire city!

Why the Romans Built It

The Romans built the wall to keep their city safe. Londinium was a busy trading center. It needed protection from invaders and raiders. The wall made sure people and goods inside were secure.

How the Wall Looked

The wall was very tall and thick. It was made mostly of ragstone, a type of limestone. It also had strong gates and towers called bastions. These towers helped soldiers watch for enemies and defend the wall.

Building the Wall

The first parts of the wall were built around 180-200 AD. It took many years to finish. Later, more sections and towers were added, making it even stronger.

The Wall Through History

The London Wall stood for over a thousand years. It saw many changes and events in London's history.

Protecting Medieval London

After the Romans left, the wall continued to protect London. It was repaired and made taller during the Middle Ages. It helped defend the city during many battles and sieges.

The Wall and the City's Growth

For a long time, the wall marked the official edge of the City of London. As the city grew, people started living outside the wall too. But the wall remained an important landmark.

Damage and Disappearance

Over centuries, parts of the wall were damaged. Some sections were pulled down to make way for new buildings. The Great Fire of London in 1666 also destroyed parts of the city, including some of the wall.

The Wall Today

Even though much of the wall is gone, you can still see parts of it today! Many fragments are hidden among modern buildings. Some sections are preserved in parks or museums. It's like a secret piece of history waiting to be discovered.

Images for kids

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  A surviving piece of the original 3rd-century Roman Wall in Cooper's Row.

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  Bastion 12, near the Barbican Estate, built on Roman foundations.

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  Yorkist forces attacking Lancastrians during the siege of London in 1471.

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  The City of London around 1300, showing the Blackfriars extension.

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  The pink area shows how much of London was destroyed by the 1666 Great Fire of London.

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  A map from 1945 showing bombing damage near Noble Street, with parts of the London Wall visible.

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  The modern road named London Wall, built after 1976.

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  The medieval postern gate near the Tower of London.

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  The site where Aldgate was demolished.

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  Aldgate gate in about 1600.

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  Bastion 14 in London Wall, near the Museum of London.

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  A plaque from the Museum of London's walking tour about the Roman Wall (Plaque 11).

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  A plaque showing the London Wall by St Alphage Gardens.

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  A plaque from the Museum of London's walking tour about the Roman Wall (Plaque 13).

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  A plaque from the Museum of London's walking tour about the Roman Wall (Plaque 14).

See also

In Spanish: Muralla de Londres para niños