Historical monument classification 25 juillet 1969 (≈ 1969)
Official protection of the remains of the wall.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
Vestiges du mur (cad. K 444, 445, 460): classification by decree of 25 July 1969
Key figures
Information non disponible - No character cited
The sources don't mention any actors.
Origin and history
The Castrum of Saints, built in the fourth century, is an example of late Roman military architecture. Located in the present city of Saintes (Charente-Maritime, New Aquitaine), it bears witness to the Roman strategic presence in the region, then called Mediolanum Santonum. Its remains, though partial, offer an overview of the fortification techniques of the era, adapted to the defensive needs of a changing city.
The remains of the castrum were officially recognized and protected by a classification as historical monuments on 25 July 1969. This order specifically concerns the remains of the wall, located in cadastral plots K 444, 445 and 460. Today, the site belongs to the municipality of Saintes, but its access and tourist exploitation remain little documented in the available sources.
The castrum is part of a historical context marked by the decline of the Roman Empire and the first waves of invasions in Gaul. In Saintes, as in other cities in the region, these fortifications were aimed at securing urban centres and communication routes. Their construction reflects the political and military tensions of the time, as well as the adaptation of Roman infrastructures to new external threats.
