Mais, Bowness

Maia (Mais) at Bowness-on-Solway in Cumbria was the western terminus of Hadrian's Wall, overlooking the Solway Firth. Covering approximately 7.5 acres (3 ha), it was the second-largest fort on the Wall after Stanwix. Built over the site of the 80th milecastle, the fort was first constructed in turf and timber around the 120s AD and later rebuilt in stone. The name Maia likely references the fort's large size relative to other western installations. Today the fort lies entirely beneath the modern village, though Roman stones are visible in local buildings including St Michael's Church.