Situated on the edge of the Lincolnshire Wolds, the City of Lincoln is a compact but ancient place that wears its remarkable heritage in a very modest and unassuming way. In common with most large towns and cities, generations of builders have slowly buried Lincoln's history with new streets and modern buildings. However, some areas where glimpses of the past become either exposed or incorporated in subsequent building can be found, and Lincoln is no exception.

Originally founded cAD60 as a fortress for the advancing Ninth Legion, Lincoln became a civilian settlement once it was no longer required for military purposes. This occurred around AD77, when the 'Legio II Adiutrix' moved on to Chester. The 'Colonia' (a town for retired legionaries and their families), or main settlement of Lindvm, occupied the high ground to the north where the medieval castle and cathedral stand today. Over the years, the town's popularity grew and inevitably the settlement expanded down the southern slope towards the River Witham.

The original settlement, comprising some 47 acres, was walled in stone in the early 2nd century. With the addition of the southern section, also walled, this increased the overall area protected by stone defences to some 97 acres. The upper town defences were strengthened at the beginning of the 3rd century, and much of what is visible today survives from that time. Several sections of the town wall remain in situ, but it is the two upper town gateways, and one lower town gateway, that are among the best preserved examples of Roman Lincoln. Standing in the forecourt grounds of a modern hotel (opposite the cathedral chapter house) are the remains of the upper town's East Gate and it's flanking north tower. Although just a fragment of the original structure, it does survive to an impressive height, and reveals a staircase which led to the upper level.

The upper town's northern gate, known locally as the Newport Arch (pictured), is located in Bailgate. This is a spectacular survival and is now the only Roman archway still standing in Britain. Comprising a main entrance archway, and a smaller pedestrian archway to the east, Newport Arch looks more 'squat' than it did in Roman times, due to the ever increasing level of subsequent road surfaces. Amazingly, traffic still flows through Newport Arch, but in 1964 severe damage was caused to its top when a lorry got stuck underneath it.

Other features of the upper town worthy of note include a section of wall often referred to as the 'mint wall'. This massive section of wall, 70ft (21m) long and 18ft (5.5m) high, located just off of Westgate in West Bight, is believed to have been the rear wall of the Roman Bascilica. Part of a semi-circular chamber and a well are also in evidence to the other side of Westgate. A colonnaded Forum existed to the south of the Bascilica, and the positions of some of the columns are marked by granite circles in the tarmac back on Bailgate. Other impressive sections of Roman wall can be found in the grounds of the Bishop's Palace, just south of the cathedral.

Much less survives of the lower town defences, but the remains of the West Gate can be seen within the grounds of the City Council's offices in Orchard Street. Originally constructed in the 4th century, this comprises the projecting rectangular towers with the remains of the guard chambers to the rear. A section of curtain wall also survives to a good height.