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Italica - Roman Spain

Undoubtedly one of the great historic sites in Spain, Italica was a Roman city that continued to be prominent after the fall of Rome, into the Visigothic period of Spanish rule. It was founded as a military hospital for Roman soldiers during the Second Punic War.

After the nearby city of Hispalis (Seville) became the more important commercial centre thanks to its access to the seas, Italica became a more exclusive and upper class neighbourhood. Indeed, in the 1st century it was the birthplace of two of Rome's greatest Emperors, Trajan and Hadrian, and had an array of monuments to reflect its status.

Italica - Roman Spain

Undoubtedly one of the great historic sites in Spain, Italica was a Roman city that continued to be prominent after the fall of Rome, into the Visigothic period of Spanish rule. It was founded as a military hospital for Roman soldiers during the Second Punic War.

After the nearby city of Hispalis (Seville) became the more important commercial centre thanks to its access to the seas, Italica became a more exclusive and upper class neighbourhood. Indeed, in the 1st century it was the birthplace of two of Rome's greatest Emperors, Trajan and Hadrian, and had an array of monuments to reflect its status.

Location: Santiponce - Seville
Historical Period: Ancient Rome
Key Figures: Scipio, Trajan, Hadrian
Key Events: Second Punic War
Highlights Amphitheatre, Mosaics
Rating: 9/10





Is Italica Worth Visiting?

Italica's legacy in the Roman world is secured thanks to its association with Hadrian and Trajan. Nicolo Macchiavelli who, quite literally, wrote the book on the different ways of ruling, stated that both Hadrian and Trajan could be considered to be among Rome's five 'Good Emperors'. These all came in succession in the late 1st century CE and through the 2nd century.

Of course, such terms are relative, and the subjects in lands such as Dacia or Syria that were subjected to Col du Tourmalet - Luz Saint Sauveur




Practical Information

Italica is situated just 10km from Seville on the edge of the small town of Santiponce. Entry is free for EU citizens and €1.5 for non EU citizens, with the usual kind of age-related discounts available. The site is open every day except for Mondays, and opening hours depend on the season and the day.

Check out the Official Site (Spanish) for the most up to date information.



Podcasts, Tours and Guides

Italica is visited on our Historic Andalucia cycling holiday. On this tour we cycle from Seville to Granada and visit some of the finest historic sights in Europe, including Italica, the Mezquita of Cordoba, the Alhambra palace and the Madinat al-Zahra.




Nearby Historic Sites

  • Spain
  • Granada
  • Cordoba
  • Cadiz
  • Malaga & Costa del Sol
  • Madrid
  • Barcelona
  • Camino de Santiago
  • Roman Sites