Roman Ampitheatre
This was designed at the same time as its neighbour, the Theatre, but opened later in 8 BC. It was used for staging gladiatorial combats (there were 8 different types) and fights involving animals, as well as circus performances. The seating was also in 3 tiers but little remains of the upper cheap seats and there were 16 open doorways. The elliptical shaped arena had a large cross shaped ditch which was boarded over, presumably containing the wild animals. The arena was walled in marble with paintings on the side and there were 2 entrances for the gladiators.
All in all, just like a footy arena.
This was designed at the same time as its neighbour, the Theatre, but opened later in 8 BC. It was used for staging gladiatorial combats (there were 8 different types) and fights involving animals, as well as circus performances. The seating was also in 3 tiers but little remains of the upper cheap seats and there were 16 open doorways. The elliptical shaped arena had a large cross shaped ditch which was boarded over, presumably containing the wild animals. The arena was walled in marble with paintings on the side and there were 2 entrances for the gladiators.
All in all, just like a footy arena.
Roman Theatre was inaugerated between 15-16BC and is still in use today. It originally had tiered seating for 6000 with the lower seats for VIPs. The semicircular area in front was for the orchestre and the stage was probably wooden. the stage facade is the highlight with 2 tiers of marble Corinthian columns and a huge marble clad wall closes off the back of the stage. Between the columns are a series of statues of gods and emperors, but especially Augustus. The acoustics are good.
Forum with its Portico and temple of Diana
The forum was the main centre of a Roman town and here are the remains of the Forum Portico and Temple of Diana, both built in 1 AD. The Temple has survived reasonably well as it was incorporated into a Renaissance Palace in the 16th century. It had a granite rectangular base and surrounded by Corinthian columns with 6 across the front. It also had canals, ponds and a porched covered balcony.
The forum was the main centre of a Roman town and here are the remains of the Forum Portico and Temple of Diana, both built in 1 AD. The Temple has survived reasonably well as it was incorporated into a Renaissance Palace in the 16th century. It had a granite rectangular base and surrounded by Corinthian columns with 6 across the front. It also had canals, ponds and a porched covered balcony.
Roman Bridge over the Guadiana River
This was probably built in 25 BC at the start of the colony. It is 792 ms long with 60 arches. It has a core of Roman concrete clad with stone. The middle 5 were added in the 17th C when then middle landmass was washed away. The original pillars have rounded cut edges on the upstream side ti alleviate water pressures.
This was probably built in 25 BC at the start of the colony. It is 792 ms long with 60 arches. It has a core of Roman concrete clad with stone. The middle 5 were added in the 17th C when then middle landmass was washed away. The original pillars have rounded cut edges on the upstream side ti alleviate water pressures.
Alcazaba
The Moorish Citadel was built next to the bridge in abt 835 by the same Emir that extended the Cordoba mosque. It is surrounded by walls 2.7 m thick and 10 ms high, but they were still defeated by the Christians in 1228 and it became a military building. The only surviving Moslem building is the Cistern, underground next to the river with a double stairway leading down to the tank and reused pilasters with columns. There were also old roman houses and roadways inside the citiadel
The Moorish Citadel was built next to the bridge in abt 835 by the same Emir that extended the Cordoba mosque. It is surrounded by walls 2.7 m thick and 10 ms high, but they were still defeated by the Christians in 1228 and it became a military building. The only surviving Moslem building is the Cistern, underground next to the river with a double stairway leading down to the tank and reused pilasters with columns. There were also old roman houses and roadways inside the citiadel
The National Museum of Roman Art
This building was designed specifically to showcase the Roman pieces found in the area and is a delight. The original statues are all here as well as enormous mosasics and other household good and trinkets.
This building was designed specifically to showcase the Roman pieces found in the area and is a delight. The original statues are all here as well as enormous mosasics and other household good and trinkets.
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