West Street, looking towards the market cross.	North Pallant

In 51BC the Belgae invaded Sussex, the tribe called 'Atrebates' set up a settlement a few miles south of present day Chichester. The Atrebatian leader Commius had acted as an envoy / scout for the Romans a few years earlier when the Romans made their first attempted invasion of Britain in 55BC. The Belgae were in many ways both civilised and barbaric. Druids who practiced human sacrifice ruled them. Men were placed inside wicker figures and ritually burned to death. Reminiscent of the film the "Wicker Man". Of this practice John Masefield wrote;

The Neptune & Minerva stone, outside the old Council Chambers dedicates the site as a Roman Temple.	This mound in Priory Park is all that remains of the 11th century Chichester Castle.

A section of the old medieval wall that still surrounds the old City.

When the Romans arrived in Britain they set up a military camp in 1AD and began the development of today's city. It was called Noviomagus (New city of the plain), the Roman influence on the town can still be seen today many of the streets follow the original Roman plan. Many of the ruins in the Chichester area are among the finest outside Italy. As Rome went into decline the Saxons began raiding the coastal villages and farms. In 477 a Saxon chieftain called Aella landed in Britain with his three sons, Cymen, Wlenking and Cissa. Cissa became King of this part of Sussex around 500AD. He based his camp within the old Roman walls; the camp was simply called 'Cissa's Castra (fort)'. Over the years this corrupted and became Chichester.

Chichester Cathedral	The Cathedral bell tower

The city is a mix of Georgian, medieval and modern. Any visitors should take time to visit the Cathedral. The Bishops seat was moved from nearby Selsey to Chichester in 1075, construction began on the Cathedral in 1091, the new Cathedral was placed on the site of an old Saxon church. Throughout its long history the Cathedral has been added to, burnt down, restored and rebuilt several times. Among many noted architects Sir Christopher Wren and Sir George Gilbert Scott have made their contribution to the fine building you see today. In 1244 Richard of Whyke was elected Bishop, (later to become St Richard). His remains are in enshrined at Chichester Cathedral and have become a place of pilgrimage.

Chichester Cathedral		St Richard of Wyche

Bishop Storey built the market cross at the center of Chichester in 1501. It was built with the purpose of helping the poor in the area. Local smallholders and fisherman could go to the cross and sell their wares without having to pay taxes.

Pallant House	The Market Cross

Pallant House is an excellent example of Georgian architecture and is open to the public all year. The house was built in 1712 by a local wine merchant and has been fully restored. Each room in the house reflects a different page in its history, from its construction up until the reign of Queen Victoria.

Chichester Canal

The Canal Basin, near the town centre.

Chichester is linked to Chichester harbour by a 4-mile canal, the harbour was originally a commercial port in AD 43 but today is used by pleasure craft, and anglers. The harbour has 50 miles of shoreline and 17 miles of navigable channels. Water tours operate out of the town of Itchenor, on the tour you can enjoy a section of the harbour set aside as a "Special nature reserve for birds" this in an area designated as being of "outstanding natural beauty".

Chichester Festival Theatre

No visit to Chichester would be complete without taking the chance to enjoy a show at the Chichester Festival Theatre. The theatre was opened in 1962, with Lord Olivier as its first director. The theatre quickly became one of the country's leading theatres. Or, as Chichester is a market town, visit the market and pick up a bargain.