Baelo Claudia

Baelo Claudia is a Roman ruin city and lies approximately 17 kilometers northwest of Tarifa towards Cadiz on the Atlantic coast, right on the Playa de Bolonia.

Baelo Claudia was founded around the 2nd century BC. The settlement arose as an "industrial town " for processing the fish catch, mainly tuna, and for the production of the coveted condiment garum. From here, the products have been exported in the entire Roman Empire. Reached its climax in the settlement in the two centuries after Christ. Baelo Claudia was abandoned by the Romans in the late 2nd century due to earthquakes and economic decline.

In 711, the Moors of this place began their conquest of the Iberian Peninsula and then attended about 700 years for a golden age of Andalusia.

To visit today are inter alia the remains of the formerly three aqueducts to supply water to the city, the well-preserved theater, and the vast basilica with a statue of the Emperor Trajan. More recent results of excavations include a gate through which one leaves the city to the east, a swimming complex with hypocaust ( underfloor heating ) and the garum factory right on the beach.

Research and outreach

In 1990, the Government of Andalusia established the Conjunto de Archaeological Baelo Claudia (Archaeological Ensemble of Baelo Claudia ), which since then - is entrusted with the task of preserving the archaeological site permanently and continue the research - in addition to public relations. In December 2007, next to the ruins of a comparatively generous research center and museum - designed by architect Guillermo Vázquez Consuegra Andalusian - opened. Shows information about the excavations and showcase artifacts that have been found in the ruins. International teams of archaeologists can examine the excavation results here.

Since the excavation project is subsidized, among others, the EU, EU citizens have free entry to the museum and the excavation areas ( marked trails ); Admission is otherwise 1.50 EU (as of August 2011). During lunch time, the museum, the exhibition and parking are closed.