Step back into the glorious history of the Roman Empire on this guided tour of Italica, an important archaeological site just outside Seville. Visit the birthplace of Trajan, the first Spanish Roman emperor in history.
Tour Details
At the indicated time, we’ll meet at the entrance to the ruins of Itálica, located in Santiponce, a small town just 10 minutes from Seville. From there, we’ll step into this remarkable archaeological site, the birthplace of Trajan, and uncover the stories hidden within its ancient stones.
But why was Itálica so important to the Iberian Peninsula? Who exactly was Trajan? And did you know that his nephew, Hadrian, also became emperor? Accompanied by an expert guide in ancient history, we’ll explore every corner of this “little Rome,” including the impressive Amphitheatre of Itálica, where fierce gladiator combats once took place.
We’ll walk across the arena of this vast enclosure, which could hold up to 25,000 spectators. Many visitors instantly recognize it, as it served as a filming location for scenes from Game of Thrones.
Next, we’ll pass through the northern gate to see part of the city’s ancient sewer system and stroll along the Decumanus Maximus, where original paving stones and engravings have survived the passage of centuries.
We’ll also visit the remains of some of the most notable Roman houses, such as the House of the Exedra and the House of Neptune, one of the best-preserved residences in the archaeological complex. Here, we’ll admire the baths and original mosaics that once decorated private rooms, while learning about Roman myths and daily life.
Continuing uphill, we’ll reach the highest part of the city to see the sculpture dedicated to Trajan. From there, we’ll descend to explore the House of Hylas, the House of the Rhodian Courtyard, and the House of the Birds, key to understanding the layout of Roman domus and the role of tabernae.
In the final stretch of the tour, we’ll visit the House of the Planetarium, where you’ll have a few minutes of free time to take photos or explore the exhibition room. Lastly, we’ll head to the Roman theatre viewpoint for an unforgettable panoramic view of Itálica.
After between 1.5 and 2 hours, we’ll conclude this guided tour of the Roman ruins back at the meeting point.
