Italica used to be the third biggest city in the Roman empire, after Rome and Byzantium, but don't expect to see something like Pompei. Only part of the city got excavated, the rest is under the present village of Santiponce or under the fields surrounding the site. This was one of the sites where they used ground radar, so as to investigate the site without actually having to excavate anything. As an archaeologist I applaud that but as a tourist I must say that it is a bit dissappointing. But still what they did excevate happened to be the richest part of town, a neighbourhood erected by Hadrian. So prepare yourself for some really nice mosaics. The amphitheater is very impressing even though it has been used as a source of stone in the past. If you want to see the artefacts they found here you have to go to the Archaeological Museum in Sevilla where they have a really nice collection. If you want a detailed explanation and you don't understand Spanish get one of the guide books at the shop, on your right entering the site The theater and a smaller bathhouse can be found outside the actual site in the villagee. They are both rather well indicated but you can always swing by the tourist office to get a map.

The Roman Ruins of Italica in Santiponce date back to 206 BC and was the birthplace of the emperors Trajano and Hadrian. As a prosperous municipality of Rome, this city housed an ampitheater, bath houses, as well as several larger homes. Excavations of the site began in the 1700s and continue to this day. Many of the mosaic floors are still intact. If you are staying somewhere nearby like Seville, Italica makes a great day trip. Admission is free for EU citizens. Everyone else pays 1.50 euro.

Itálica es una de las ciudades romanas mejor conservadas en España y con más interés arqueológico.Se encuentra a las afueras de la capital, en el municipio de Santiponce y cuenta con anfiteatro, teatro y gran parte del trazado de las vías y las casas.Tiene numerosos mosaicos aunque muchos se encuentran en el museo arqueológico de Sevilla.

Es el asentamiento romano más antiguo de la Península; en mi caso, unido a muy buenos recuerdos.

Cuéntanos acerca de este lugar ...