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Santiponce: Italica
Where is Italica (Santiponce)?
Santiponce is nestled on the ruins of the old Roman city of Italica.  This post goes with the Podcast #2, where l try to describe the Roman ruins of Santiponce, a city which is about 6 miles north of Seville center.
How to get to Italica from Seville?
Take the direct Seville to Santiponce bus from the central bus station at Plaza de Armas or if you have a rental car, (for example from a company that compares prices so you can get the best rate), drive.


Italica Sevilla : History
Italica was founded in 206 BC by General Scipio, also known as “The African”. He used it to settle his war veterans from the Punic Wars against Hannibal and the Carthaginians. It was the first city outside of the Italian Penninsula. It was home to Roman Emperors Trajan and Hadrian.
The city is also thought to be the birthplace of Emperor Theodosius.  Emperor Hadrian especially, was very partial to his birthplace and therefore thrived during his reign. It enjoyed great prosperity for a long time and was a busy river port before it was eventually forgotten and people moved towards Seville. The city, in its heyday, was big enough to have its own Bishop as well as troops guarding the fortress.
In 1740, Seville ordered the destruction of the walls of the amphitheatre and build a dam for the Gualdalquivir river. A lot of the stones were actually taken from Italica, and used to build Seville. It seems to be a constant work in progress. New things are being discovered as they dig up more of the ruins. The excavation work is visible as you tour the grounds of the old city.
Roman Ruins Seville: Santiponce
 
Seville Attractions: Santiponce
Italica was destroyed by floods that were frequent because it sat on the banks of the Guadalquivir river. The floods of 1603 buried Italica forever. The few survivors took off to higher ground and sought solace with the monks at the Monastery de San Isidro del Campo. With their help, they were able to build the new city of Santiponce almost entirely on top of the old ruins of Italica (old town).
Italica: Aftermath
Footprints of the old houses are still present. Cobblestone streets where the carriages come through are well preserved. There are pillars that have withstood the test of time. Tiles from the bath houses are intact, even after thousands of years. The Italica forum seats 3000 people. Saint Isidro of Seville had been buried in Italica. His remains were later discovered and transferred to Leon.
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The amphitheater in Italika has a seating capacity of 25,000, and dates back to the times of Augustus. It feels surreal to be walking on the same arena that gladiators risked and lost their lives on thousands of years ago. Give yourself about 3 hours plus to be able to see and appreciate everything.
Santiponce Italica admission fee:
Entry fee is only 0.75 cents! I was completely gobsmacked! I think they would make more money if they just put a bucket out there for donations or something.

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Santiponce is nestled on the ruins of the old Roman city of Italica.  This post goes with the Podcast #2, where l try to describe the Roman ruins of Santiponce, a city which is about 6 miles north of Seville center. How to get to Italica ruins from Seville? Take the direct Seville Santiponce bus from the central bus station at Plaza de Armas or if you have a rental car, drive.

Italica was founded in 206 BC by General Scipio, also known as “The African”. He used it to settle his war veterans from the Punic Wars against Hannibal and the Carthaginians. It was the first city outside of the Italian Penninsula. It was home to Roman Emperors Trajan and Hadrian. The city is also thought to be the birthplace of Emperor Theodosius.  Emperor Hadrian especially, was very partial to his birthplace and therefore thrived during his reign. It enjoyed great prosperity for a long time  and was a busy river port before it was eventually forgotten and people moved towards Seville. The city, in its heyday, was big enough to have its own Bishop as well as troops guarding the fortress. In 1740, Seville ordered the destruction of the walls of the amphitheatre and build a dam for the Gualdalquivir river. A lot of the stones were actually taken from Italica, and used to build Seville. It seems to be a constant work in progress. New things are being discovered as they dig up more of the ruins. The excavation work is visible as you tour the grounds of the old city.

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Italica was destroyed by floods that were frequent because it sat on the banks of the Guadalquivir river. The floods of 1603 buried Italica forever. The few survivors took off to higher ground and sought solace with the monks at the Monastery de San Isidro del Campo. With their help, they were able to build the new city of Santiponce almost entirely on top of the old ruins of Italica (old town).  Footprints of the old houses are still present. Cobblestone streets where the carriages come through are well preserved. There are pillars that have withstood the test of time. Tiles from the bath houses are intact, even after thousands of years. The Italica forum seats 3000 people. Saint Isidro of Seville had been buried in Italica. His remains were later discovered and transferred to Leon.

Get your free quote  on travel insurance.

 

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The amphitheater in Italika has a seating capacity of 25,000, and dates back to the times of Augustus. It feels surreal to be walking on the same arena that gladiators risked and lost their lives on thousands of years ago. Give yourself about 3 hours plus to be able to see and appreciate everything. Entry fee is only 0.75 cents! I was completely gobsmacked! I think they would make more money if they just put a bucket out there for donations or something.

Italica Seville opening hours: Santiponce italica ruins is closed on Mondays and open the rest of the week till 6pm. I highly recommend a trip to Santiponce to see how the Romans lived in the past. It is obvious that there was a lot of prosperity in the old city. The preservation is amazing because even though there is the new city of Santiponce bu...

Ghent Vacations: Ghent in Audio:
Podcast #1 testing!  1..2..3.. Please feel free to leave your suggestions. I am trying something new :-). This is a companion piece if you will to the Ghent post. I have long thought about podcasts, as well doing some video posts.  I have put it on the back burner for a while as we moved. Now, we are a little more settled and so, l am gingerly dipping my toes into a new area. We’ll see how it pans out. I haven’t checked out any other travel podcasts, or podcasts in general. I did not want to get influenced by what’s out there. I am just going to fly by the seat of my pants as usual :-). This being my freshman trial. I am eager to see what you think, and would appreciate honest feedback, like does it show in a “feed”? etc.. It might help future productions.