Spain – Archeology
Archaeology in Spain
Spain ranks sixth on the list of the world’s largest archaeological tourism destinations and six out of ten foreigners who visit the country do so for cultural reasons.
Spain has eight sites and sets of archaeological sites declared a World Heritage Site. In addition, the Spanish archaeological heritage is indicative of the different societies that developed in the Iberian Peninsula, from prehistory to the Iberian people and the Roman and medieval ruins.
If history is one of your interests and you are passionate about discoveries, you cannot miss:
1. Medina of Azahara.
Considered one of the best testimonies of the Arab heritage of the peninsula. It is located eight kilometres from the capital of the old Caliphate of Córdoba. At present, only 10% of the total area of the city’s intramural walls has been excavated.
2. Italica.
Located in the current municipality of Santiponce. The city witnessed the birth of two of the most important Roman emperors in history; Trajan (reached the greatest extent of the empire) and Hadrian. The site includes baths, theatres, and private houses, in fact it has the third largest Roman amphitheatre in the world, with more than 20,000 square meters and a capacity to accommodate 25,000 spectators.
3. Tarraco.
Present-day Tarragona was the ancient capital of the Roman province called Hispania Tarraconensis. The city was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2000. Here you can visit the Roman walls, the provincial forum, the circus, the amphitheatre, the early Christian cemetery, the aqueduct, the Scipio tower, its Roman villas or its vast archaeological museums.
4. Caves of Altamira.
In 2008, Unesco declared the set of 18 Palaeolithic art caves as a World Heritage Site. They are located in Santillana del Mar, located in the north of Spain.
