The camp was built specifically to secure the passage of the Via Nova road construction through the rugged terrain.
During the dry season, the low water levels of the As Conchas reservoir reveal the complete layout of the camp, including the outer defensive walls.
The name 'Aquis Querquennis' refers to the nearby thermal springs, which were utilized by the Roman soldiers for bathing.
The site was abandoned by the Roman military around the end of the 2nd century AD.
Archaeological digs have uncovered significant amounts of Roman pottery and coinage, currently housed in nearby museum facilities.
The site remains one of the few Roman military camps in Europe where the structural connection between a garrison and a major highway is perfectly preserved.
Aquis Querquennis is a well-preserved Roman military camp, also known as Aquis Salinae, located on the banks of the As Conchas reservoir in Ourense, Spain. Built around 75 AD, the site served to guard the Via Nova, a critical Roman road connecting Bracara Augusta to Asturica Augusta. The complex covers approximately three hectares and includes barracks, granaries, and the remains of a thermal bath complex. Due to its location within the reservoir basin, the ruins are often partially submerged during winter and spring when water levels are high. Excavations have revealed substantial defensive walls and internal structures built from local granite. It is considered one of the best examples of a Flavian-era legionary camp in the Iberian Peninsula. Visitors can walk among the stone foundations, which are clearly demarcated for educational interpretation.
The elevated path overlooking the central square (principia) provides the best panoramic view of the entire camp layout against the reservoir.
Check local reservoir water levels before visiting, as high water can submerge the lower sections of the site.
Wear footwear with good grip, as the granite ruins can be uneven and slippery near the water line.
Combine your visit with a trip to the nearby Roman bridge at Pontepedriña to see more of the ancient road network.
Visiting during the peak rainy season when parts of the site are submerged under the reservoir water.
Open year-round, though accessibility is weather-dependent and subject to reservoir water levels.
Do not climb on, sit on, or remove stones from the archaeological ruins.
