Official Portal of Tourism. Junta de Castilla y Leon

It is part of the Route through the Valleys of Zamora, Vidriales, Orbigo and Eria.

The Roman fort of Petavonium was nestled between Astúrica Augusta (Astorga) and Bracara Augusta (Braga). The military compound had an extension of 17 hectares and had a detachment of 5,000 legionaries from the Legio X Gemina who guarded the movements of the Asturian peoples, in prevention of possible revolts, and to protect the transport of gold from the gold exploitation of Las Médulas or Las Cavenes. Legio X Gemina remained in Petavonium from 19 B.C. until A.D. 63, the year that Nero moved her out of the peninsula. Based on the findings, it is believed that Petavonium had its urban center in the surroundings of the current chapel of Nuestra Señora del Campo, and had an area with public baths and a temple dedicated to Hercules, continuing its existence during the 4th and 5th centuries.

In Vespasian's time, the Roman military distribution in Hispania was reorganized, with the II Wing Flavia Hispanorum Civium Romanorum settling in Petavonium, an auxiliary cavalry unit made up of about 500 Hispanic horsemen with Roman citizenship who remained in this fort until the middle of the 3rd century AD. Its primary function was linked to the Asturian gold trade. The fort of Ala Flavia was smaller than the previous one, 4.5 Ha., To which the visible remains belong, it was located in the interior area of its predecessor, of which there are practically no remains.

Four watchtowers, the Cucuman gate, and a stockade have been rebuilt, as well as the officers' quarters, allowing tourist visits to the camp. Remains of various buildings related to the residence and the activities of the troops (crafts, cooking, food store) have also been discovered. They are a series of rooms articulated by two streets, one of which closes to become a patio of what looks like a kitchen. The strategic interest of the Vidriales Valley in the wars against the Cantabrians made it a succession of numerous occupations.