Bavay Ancient Forum, Bavay, France

Bagacum (Today Bavay) was an Roman city and remarkable remains of ancient forum still exist. The 2,5 hectare are contains ruins of a central esplanade, temple and cryptoporticus (covered corridor or passageway).

The birth of Bavay after the conquest was the result of the reorganization of the territory by Augustus (probably between 16 BC and 13 BC). The town became the capital for the Nervii under the name of Bagacum and was an important junction of seven roads, the meeting-place of which was marked by a milestone, destroyed in the 17th century and replaced in the 19th century by a column.

From the Claudian period and especially under the Flavians in the late 1st century the city grew. Large monuments were built: a forum, thermal baths fed by an aqueduct bringing water from a fountain near Floursies located twenty kilometres away, and other buildings with a seemingly official nature adorned the city.

User Reviews

TheEvdriver (4 years ago)
Very nice museum of the findings in this village. Presentation could be more in english. (None)

David Miras (6 years ago)
Absolutely brilliant, loved it! Had interesting activities for kids and adults alike, highly recommended??

Colin Adams (6 years ago)
Came upon this wonderful Roman forum on a drive through the countryside. Was impressed by its size and accessibility. The small museum on site holds examples of items found on the site and in the local area. It is well worth a visit and I will be returning the next time I'm in the area.

Mathieu Deresmes (7 years ago)
Interesting museum on the Gallo Roman ruins left in Bavay. The collections feature artifacts with jewelry, currencies, statues, everyday life objects. There is a 3D movie and you can visit the real life ruins as well.

Frederic Lecut (8 years ago)
The biggest Roman Forum discovered in France. I was flabbergasted ! The place is impressive, the guided visit was excellent and the museum is great, well presented and documented without being too clustered. The collection of Bronzes from the Treasure unearthed in 1969 was so beautiful. I have seen pieces of this quality before, but never so many n the same place ! Well worth the visit.

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Photo from Flickr, copyright Zvonimir Hrvoj

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Church of St Donatus

The Church of St Donatus name refers to Donatus of Zadar, who began construction on this church in the 9th century and ended it on the northeastern part of the Roman forum. It is the largest Pre-Romanesque building in Croatia.

The beginning of the building of the church was placed to the second half of the 8th century, and it is supposed to have been completed in the 9th century. The Zadar bishop and diplomat Donat (8th and 9th centuries) is credited with the building of the church. He led the representations of the Dalmatian cities to Constantinople and Charles the Great, which is why this church bears slight resemblance to Charlemagne's court chapels, especially the one in Aachen, and also to the Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna. It belongs to the Pre-Romanesque architectural period.

The circular church, formerly domed, is 27 m high and is characterised by simplicity and technical primitivism.

Bavay Ancient Forum

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Church of St Donatus