Roman Samian Ware from York

St Helen's Square is the site of the main south-west entrance (porta praetoria) to the Roman fortress. Standing here in Roman times you would have seen a great double-arched gate flanked by towers. Looking out of the gate (in the direction of the Mansion House and Post Office) you would have seen the river Ouse with warehouses and wharves along its banks. They would have buzzed with activity as ships offloaded goods from all over the Roman Empire like fine tableware, wine and olive oil from Mediterranean lands, and then prepared to return with grain from the rich farmland around York.

Close to the line of modern Stonegate, there was a Roman street (via praetoria) with buildings tightly packed on either side leading to the great legionary headquarters where the Minster now stands.