Itálica, Sevilla
If you’re passionate about Rome and its history, I invite you to discover an authentic secret of ancient Rome in Seville. Just a few kilometers from the capital, in Santiponce, you’ll find Italica, an ancient Roman city founded in 206 B.C. It was home to emperors like Trajan and Hadrian, the only two Roman emperors hailing from what is now Seville. Two streets in the Andalusian capital are dedicated to them.
Itálica
As you wander through the stone pathways of this archaeological site, you’ll encounter fascinating ruins, including an amphitheater, a theater, Roman houses, baths, an intricate sewage system, and the famous House of the Birds, a Roman domus named for its beautiful bird mosaics.
Italica’s amphitheater is the third largest in the world, following Rome and Capua. Emperor Hadrian commissioned its construction, and it could accommodate up to 25,000 spectators, hosting gladiator battles and exotic animal contests brought from Africa.
Itálica
Italica has also served as a backdrop for series and movies. Perhaps its most prominent appearance was in the renowned series “Game of Thrones,” where Santiponce’s amphitheater was transformed into the “Dragon Pit.” This location can also be spotted in previous productions, like the miniseries “La Peste,” set in 16th-century Seville. Price should not deter you from visiting Italica, as admission to the archaeological site is free for European Union citizens and costs only €1.50 for non-EU visitors.
Sevilla Habla Spanish courses in Seville
Sevilla Habla cursos de español en Sevilla
