Andalusia is known for an impressive artistic and patrimonial heritage thanks to the mix of cultures that have lived in this region over the centuries. One of the splendorous time periods was during the Roman Empire, when Andalusia was known as La Bética, one of the many provinces that the Roman Empire had conquered around the world. We can still find traces of the grandeur of those times, and therefore today we want to bring you five mesmerizing Roman sites that we can find in Andalusia.
Acinipo in Ronda (Málaga)
21 km away from Ronda we can find this impressive Roman site, known to be one of Andalusia’s most important sites. Among the remains of this ancient city, the theatre built in 1st century B.C. stands out, but the remains of its hot springs and several Roman houses are also visible. Unfortunately it does not have a conditioned structure for tourists, but it is definitely worth visiting.
Baelo Claudia is, without a doubt, one of the best known Roman sites in Andalusia. In line with the wonderful beach of Bologna, we have this spectacular archaeological complex. There are still several elements that are very representative of the urbanism of the period like the square, the theatre and the necropolis. It is interesting to visit the museum which, from 2007, offers a lot of information about the old city.
Roman Baths of the Hedionda in Casares (Málaga)
The healthy properties of these waters were used by the Romans, and we are not surprised, since they are rich in iron and sulfur. The original building of these baths began with the Romans, but later it was the Arabs who touched-up and maintained the structure. Thanks to this, it has been possible to preserve them until present time. They say even Julius Caesar bathed in these waters, which you too can do since the Roman baths are currently considered a cultural attraction and remains open to the public.
What to say about this impressive site? It was the first Roman city built outside the Italian borders and it’s located in Santiponce; very close to Seville. It is still in the process of excavation and research. Its mosaics, urban fabric, public buildings and everyday objects cannot go unnoticed. It should be noted that important theatrical events are still taking place here.
The Roman Theatre of Málaga
It dates back to the 1st century and can be found in the heart of the beautiful capital of Málaga, at the foot of its impressive citadel. It was discovered in 1951 and they had to demolish some of the buildings to complete the archaeological excavations. Interestingly enough, the Arabs used it as a quarry to build the fortress and you can see the remains of columns inside.
