Ruins of Italica in Seville

Italics Ruins are the remains of an ancient Roman city located in present municipality of Santiponce (Sevilla). It is a really impressive visit that you should not miss to know the history of the city that gave three emperors to the Roman Empire

What are the ruins of Italica?

Ruins Italics are subject to visit and admiration of many Spanish and foreign travelers. Although it was not enough all his prestige, fame and history to save her from being the subject of continued dispossession and quarry materials stable since the time Arab and illustrated. This city was of great importance, which reached the Muslim era, with the name “Talika / Taliqa”. And it is not until when it was abandoned in the twelfth century, which happens to be Christians called “Sevilla la Vieja”. Seville City Council is dated in 1740, who ordered down the walls of the amphitheater and then build a dam on the Guadalquivir.

Under the Napoleonic occupation, February 9, 1810 there was the first legal standard of protection of the site who suggests restoring the old name of Italica.

Besides ordering restore the old name of Italica, an annual budget for regular excavations were also earmarked, although was never materialize until 1839-1840. Italica in Seville was declared a National Monument by the Royal Order of December 13, 1912. Currently the Roman Ruins in Sevilla are the main tourist attraction that is 7km to the north of Sevilla.

What to see in the Ruins Italics?

A tour of Italica in Seville is a wonderful admiration of Roman culture, which allows us to enjoy tourist sites, the beautiful nature and culture. It is definitely one of the best things to see in Seville. AItálica visit Seville is a central basis of various events of all kinds, such as international Cross Italica in January, the Stations of the Alcor Lent or festivals Theater and Dance. It is also a point known to go on weekends to eat as a family, with typical establishments as the “Ventorrillo Canario Restaurant“.

Living Museum

The theater is the oldest and best known of Italica, the remains of the curia found work in 1984. Its location is in the Cerro de San Antonio, to the west of the community of Santiponce. This theater was built between the I centuries B.C. and I will surely use d.C.y remains sporadic and even less the fifth century The approximate location of the building is known to the eighteenth century, there being some of the sculptures of the Roman Ruins of Sevilla. In the yard of one of the houses on the hill, they were discovered a part of the stands at approximately 1940. However, in the area, the first excavations were conducted in 1937 by Francisco Collantes Terán.

But it was not until late 1970-1973 which was massively dug when given the opportunity to act on this theater, with smaller campaigns to free the porch. After this, are conducted several digs at the beginning it was directed by Diego Ruiz Mata and months later went Jose Maria Luzon Nogué. Under the direction of Luzon and Ramón Corzo work continued for the year 1975 that left bare the remains of the building stage. After several phases of restoration, started for 80 years, currently used for the celebration of the Festival of Theater of Italica.

This recovery of the theater as a monument was directed by architects Alfonso Jimenez and Pedro Rodriguez, who later joined Francisco Montero. These mediations were closed in 1995, which turned to reboot to complete them early in 2012. Near the entrance of the theater we see a room museum with some objects found in the excavations. However, the best parts are permanently in Seville Archaeological Museum.

Roman Amphitheater of Italica in Seville

Italica’s amphitheater was built to the north of which he was the first Hispanic-Roman city of Italica, currently located in the municipality of Santiponce (Sevilla, Spain). This is an extraordinary monument. It was one of the largest amphitheaters of the empire stands with three levels which has a capacity of 25,000 spectators.

Traianeum

It is assumed from its excavation, between 1979-1980 that “Traianeum” is a temple that was built to be dedicated to the Emperor Trajan, founded by his nephew, the Emperor Hadrian. Also known as the Temple of Trajan of Italica. It is located in the Plaza de la Nova Urbs, besieged by an arcaded square with exedras.

Termas Older

Older Termas were two, one in the old city and another in the new city, both with services such as public baths, saunas and hot pools. The Baths of the new city are the largest, occupying an entire block of the extension, however, is largely unexcavated.

Mosaics

Among the most significant find relevant mosaics and the mosaic of Neptune, this mosaic is located in a complex near the thermal baths for excellence. Personalize this mosaic polychrome figure of the god of the sea, with a perfect procession of creatures in black and white. Dating from the second century. The mosaic of the labyrinth is in the same building of the mosaic of Neptune, it was made with geometric figures that means a walled city with towers. Another important mosaic is the mosaic of the planetarium, which was held for half of the second century and is located in the house Planetarium. One of the features of this mosaic is that you can see the seven planetary divinities which give name to the days of the week, according to the Roman calendar. Mosaic Bird, you can see 33 different species of birds around an emblem, now lost, in a geometric framework.

Private Houses

The most spectacular of this city are their homes or villas Italica, several stately homes have been built with magnificent mosaic decorations. Many of them belonged to important patrician families of the empire, which followed a traditional Roman scheme. Which can be mentioned:

• Casa de la Exedra: he presides over the central courtyard with a beautiful fountain, a hot spring, long an arena and other buildings
• Neptune House: Contains some hot springs and some rooms were beautifully decorated with mosaics. This department has not been fully excavated.
• Bird House: In pavements are kept rooms decorated with mosaics. It tries to recreate some areas of the home concerning the time.
• House of the Planetarium: Contains a circle within which there are seven medallions with busts mean seven planets are named every day. In the center is Venus (Friday) is around the moon (Monday), Mars (Tuesday), Mercury (Wednesday), Jupiter (Thursday), Saturn (Saturday) and Sun means the day (Sunday).
• Patio House Rodio has been partially excavated, is located to the east. One of the areas of this department is a courtyard of rhodium type, ie with one of the four galleries. In this sector of Italica, it was often mosaic pavements were very careful. Over time the action of man has deteriorated his condition.
• House Hylas: This is another of the luxurious houses in Italics have been excavated in parts. The yard is located at the north but communicates via a staircase with an anteroom. That, in turn, serves to move into a room with mosaic “Hylas”, which gives its name to this beautiful home.

Useful information about the Monument of Italica

Visits to the ruins of Italica are authorized for all audiences, however, children under 14 must be courted at every moment by a paying adult entry. You can not obtain prior entry. The visit may be suspended by atmospheric causes, if so it will be refunded the value of the entrance to the visitor.

Price of the ruins of Italica

Currently the price of tickets to the ruins of Italica has a value of:

• for children under up to 14 years at a cost of 5 €, for adult members of the Club Gears, entry costs you 7 €, and adults in general the value is 8 €.

Times

The archaeological site of Italica shows the guest a wonderful Roman amphitheater and allows you to walk so were the streets and know their homes. The ruins of Italica can be visited from Tuesday to Saturday from 09:00 to 18:00. Sundays and holidays only work from 09:00 to 15:00 hours on Mondays and keep it closed.

How to get to the Roman ruins of Seville?

A visit to Italica can be reached by the Seville San Pablo Airport, located 12 km from the center of the city which offer good flight deals. You can access the Italics Ruins from San Justa station, which communicates with various cities as well as from the bus station in Seville. On the other hand, the visit to Italica can drive to Seville.

There are no excuses for not visiting Italica!!