SANTIPONCE: FROM ITÁLICA TO SAN ISIDORO DEL CAMPO

Placed over the ruins of the ancient Roman city of Italica, in the Aljarafe area, only 4,35 mi away from the centre of Seville, Santiponce is part of two important tourist routes: the Route of the Silver and the Route of the Roman Baetica. The first one, which links the north and the south of Spain, was built in the Roman period and runs through mountains, valleys and plains; the second one moves across towns in which the Roman culture was present, as Santiponce, Carmona, The Louisiana, Osuna, Marchena, Ecija and Almodovar del Rio, the latter being part of the province of Cordova.

The most important period in the history of Santiponce is the Roman period, being one of the most relevant cities of the Roman Empire and the first Roman city founded outside the Italica Peninsula. It was founded by the Roman general Publius Cornelius Scipio Africanus, and emperors such as Trajan or Hadrian were born there. A visit not to be missed is the trip to the Ruins of Italic, the most ancient Roman settlement of the Iberian Peninsula, and also the trip to the Monastery of San Isidoro del Campo.

The route

• Map: Check it out in Google maps
• Route length: 1.55 mi.
• Estimated visit time: 4 hours.

Metropolitan bus lines

• M-170A Sevilla-Camas-Santiponce
• M-170B Sevilla-Las Pajanosas (Guillena)

Places of Interest

1. Archaeological ensemble of Itálica

The Roman city of Italica was founded by General Publius Cornelius Scipio Africanus on 206 B.C to settle there the veterans of the Ilpa battle in which the Carthaginian army was defeated. The singularity of Italica lies on its ancient origin, as well as the majesty of its urban planning and being homeland of emperors such as Trajan and Hadrian.

Two parts can be distinguished in the archaeological complex which is nowadays accessible to the visitors: On the one hand, the Roman city, which corresponds to a city extension built by Hadrian during the 2nd century A.C. as homage to the Emperor Trajan, known as new city or nova urbs. Some outstanding elements can be found in the city: its wide streets, which still keep their original pavement made of large flagstones, and the Roman houses, which are considered magnificent examples of Roman manor houses, with their famous mosaics made of marble tessellae. On the other hand there is the Roman amphitheatre, one of the largest of the Empire, with a capacity for twenty-five thousand spectators.

Visiting hours:

• SUMMER: (From April to September) Tuesday - Saturday, 8:30-20:30; Sunday and Bank Holidays, 9:00-15:00.
• WINTER: (From October to March): Tuesday - Saturday, 9:00-17:30; Sunday and Bank Holidays, 10:00-16:00; closed Mondays.

Rates:

• European Union Citizens: Free
• Citizens outside the European Union: 1,50 €

More information:

• www.turismosantiponce.es

2. Fernando Marmolejo Municipal Museum

City Museum whose collection, distributed in six rooms for its permanent exhibition, represents the different stages in the history of Santiponce: Italica, with pieces from the Roman period; the Medieval city, with pieces coming from the Monastery of Saint Isidoro del Campo; and Santiponce since 1850, which shows the daily life of the municipality over the last 150 years. Likewise, it is possible to admire some works created by the artist after whom the museum is named, “Fernando Marmolejo, the goldsmith/silversmith of Seville”, with pieces donated by Marmolejo and his family.

Visiting hours:

• Closed Mondays; Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 10:00-14:00; Friday and Saturday, 10:00-14:00 and 16:00-19:00; Sundays, 10:00-15:00.

Rates:

• Free admission

3. Minor Termae (Smaller Baths)

Dating back to the age of the Emperor Trajan (1st C. A.D.), this termae are located right in the middle of the old quarter of Santiponce, and a great portion of the building still remains unexcavated under the surrounding houses and streets.

Visiting hours:

• Currently these archaeological remains can only be seen from the exterior.

4. Roman Theatre

Dating from the age of Augustus Emperor, it follows the form of a typical Roman theatre. Since XVII C., with the relocation of the town of Santiponce, which was moved to the hills where the old Italica was placed, the Theatre stood hidden, until it was recently dug out. It had enough capacity for three thousand spectators.

Visiting hours:

• It can be watched from a viewpoint which is open from Tuesdays to Saturdays, from 9:00 to 14:30.

5. St. Isidoro del Campo Monastery

This unique Medieval Monastery-fortress founded in 1301 by Alonso Perez de Guzman, also known as Guzman the Good, was the first building to obtain the title of Artistic Historical Monumental Group in the province of Seville (an equivalent category to the U.K. Listed Buildings).

This magnificent Monumental Group consist of two Gothic churches, several cloisters, a sacristy, the chapter house and the refectory. Both Gothic and Mudejar styles are juxtaposed in it, and this fact is due to its Almohad heritage.

Amongst all the vast artistic heritage that it treasures, the most remarkable item is the major altarpiece of the first church, which is considered to be the masterwork of Juan Martinez Montañes, the famous maker of religious images, and one of the most important sculptural groups from the Golden Age of Spanish Sacred Art.

Visiting hours:

• >Closed Monday and Tuesday; Wednesday and Thursday 10:00-14:00; Friday and Saturday 10:00-14:00 and 16:00-19:00; Sunday and Bank Holydays, 10:00-15:00.

Rates:

• Free admission

More information:

• www.turismosantiponce.es

More information

www.turismosantiponce.es.

Versión en español