Standing atop a rocky crag just 92 kilometres north-west of Madrid lies Segovia, a treasure trove of Spanish history which remains remarkably preserved despite the passage of centuries. This UNESCO World Heritage gem may be home to only 50,000 people, but it punches well above its weight in cultural significance …
Tarragona is a charming Mediterranean port city located 100km south-west of Barcelona on the coast of Catalonia. Originally established as Tarraco by the Romans in the 3rd century BCE, Tarragona served as a key administrative and commercial hub. Today the city’s ancient Roman archaeological complex is recognised as a UNESCO …
The history of Roman Spain, also known as ‘Hispania’, offers a rich narrative of conquest, assimilation and cultural transformation. The incorporation of the Iberian Peninsula into the Roman Empire marked a pivotal chapter in the region’s development, shaping its political, economic and social structures. The Romanisation of Spain introduced enduring …
Roman control of the Iberian Peninsula began in 218 BC during the Second Punic War when they captured territories from the Carthaginians. Over the next two centuries, the Romans gradually conquered and Romanized the region through military force and colonization. The Romans divided the peninsula into three provinces – Hispania …
The Visigothic period in Spanish history, spanning roughly the 5th to the early 8th centuries, bridges the decline of the Roman Empire and the dawn of the medieval age. Although often overshadowed by the grandeur of Roman rule and the Islamic period that followed, the Visigoths in Spain left an …
The Iberian Peninsula, today known as Spain and Portugal, has been a significant crossroads for human civilization since prehistoric times. The history of the early Iberian people is deeply entwined with the broader narratives of European prehistory, marked by waves of migration, cultural exchanges and the emergence of complex societies …
Tucked away in western Spain, Extremadura is a region often overlooked by tourists, yet it holds a wealth of historical significance and unspoilt natural beauty. Bordering Portugal and comprising the provinces of Cáceres and Badajoz, it offers a rare glimpse into a Spain that has preserved its authenticity, largely untouched …
The Roman colony of Emerita Augusta (modern-day Mérida) was founded in 25 BC and became the most important city in the Roman province of Lusitania and one of the largest in Hispania. Standing on the Guadiana River, its strategic location allowed it to control important trade routes which contributed to …
The Festival of Mérida, or more precisely, the Mérida International Classical Theatre Festival is held every summer in the Spanish city of Mérida (Extremadura). The festival is held amongst the city’s spectacular Roman ruins and is an enthralling event for lovers of classical drama. Offiially known as the Festival Internacional …