Description of the attraction
The Chester City Walls are a system of defensive ramparts that surround the strategically important English city of Chester. This defensive system has existed since the founding of the city by the Romans in 79, and then it consisted of wooden and earthen palisades. Most of the surviving walls date from the Middle Ages and Victorian times, although the oldest sections date back to 120 and the newest to 1966. These are the best-preserved city walls in the UK.
In the I-III century, the walls were replaced by stone and then they surrounded a much smaller area. After the departure of the Romans, the walls practically collapsed and were rebuilt in 907 by order of Queen thelfleda to protect the city from Viking raids. In 1070, Chester Castle was built and the perimeter of the walls increased significantly as they approached the Dee River.
After the civil war, the walls were badly destroyed and rebuilt during the era of King George. Since then, they have become a favorite walking place for the townspeople. Currently, the walls are considered an architectural monument and are protected by the state.
Interestingly, the local law has not yet been repealed, according to which any Welshman who loiters within the city walls after sunset can be decapitated or shot from a bow. The law was introduced by King Henry V after the Welsh Uprising. And although this law has not yet been repealed, today it does not exempt from criminal prosecution for premeditated murder.
