Spain - Santiponce, Italica

The city of Italica - just outside the town of Santiponce and less than 10 km’s northwest of Sevilla - was founded in 206 BC by the Roman general Scipio in order to settle Roman soldiers, who were wounded in the Battle of Ilipa.

Italica was one of the earliest Roman settlements in Spain and was the birthplace of two emperors: Trajan and his adopted son Hadrian (from the wall across England).

Italica is divided into two areas: ‘Vetus Urbs’ (old city), which lies under the centre of Santiponce, and ‘Nova Urbs (new city), created by Hadrian as an extension of the existing town. Hadrian added temples, and rebuilt public buildings. Italica’s amphitheater seated 25,000 spectators and was the third largest in the Roman Empire. The city's population at the time is estimated to have been only 8000.

The excavation of Italica began mid 18th century and still continues. Following extensive excavations and the building of visitor facilities, Italica is now a popular destination for tourists, offering the amphitheater and remains of the city with paved roads and some stunning floor mosaics.