Ampuria is a fascinating archaeological site located just a few kilometers from Barcelona.
Nearby is the fortified medieval village of Sant Marti d'Ampuria.
Both sites are located on the Bay of Roses, opposite the town of Roses.
Today, I'd like to take you on a tour of this exceptional place.
Ampuria: article summary
Ampuria: a historic place to explore
The site of Ampuria is a vast ruin off the coast of Catalonia that reveals three distinct settlements. There's the old town, the new town and the the Roman town founded by Julius Caesar in 49 BC.
The old town, known as Palaipolis, was founded by the Greeks in 600 BC. It was built on a small island and is now a small fortified hamlet called Sant Marti de Ampuria.
In 550 BC, a larger city was built on the shore. It was called Emporion, meaning : commercial station. In 218 BC, the Romans came and built a town right next door.
A site full of ruins
The lower part of the Ampuria site is home to the Greek colony of NeapolisExcavations have revealed several Greek temples, including the Temple of Asclepius. Some of the houses excavated reveal mosaics and wall paintings. There are also some large water cisterns.
The Roman city is larger and richer, but excavations have only been partially completed. A forum and two villas and an amphitheatre.
When can you access Ampuria?
The site opens daily and requires about half a day to visit it in its entirety. There's a small museum with objects discovered during the site's excavations. There's also free parking and a small café.
Take the opportunity to explore Sant Martí d'Ampuria
Sant Marti d’Ampuria est à quelques pas du site archéologique, le long de la plage. Le lieu vous récompense avec un petit, mais très joli village. Le centre de ce dernier est occupé par un groupe de restaurants que vous devez absolument essayer. Sur place, vous retrouvez des spécialités de la mer ainsi
than traditional Catalan dishes.Opposite them is the church, which dates back to the XIᵉ century, and beyond that the Bay of Roses. Of course, you can also visit the church every day free of charge.
More about Sant Marti D'Ampuria
Sant Marti d'Ampuria is a medieval village with a large defensive wall. It is one of the oldest villages in Catalonia.
From the edge of the village, there's a breathtaking view of the whole of the Bay of Roses and its endless stretch of beaches.
As well as being a great place to stop for lunch, the beaches here are beautiful sandy beaches. Perfect for relaxing after a day of sightseeing. Although this is the oldest part of Ampuria, few excavations have taken place here.
Things to see and do nearby
L'Escala's neighboring town is a pleasant seaside resort with beaches and restaurants for relaxing after your visit to the excavations. L'Escala also boasts a charming old town with narrow medieval streets and an ancient port.
Across the bay of Roses from Ampuria lies Roses with its medieval fortress.
Finally, not far from there is Peratalladaa place classified as one of the most beautiful villages in Spain and well worth a visit.
Spending a day in Ampuria is a great way to discover Barcelona's surroundings. Once you've visited all the ruins, I recommend you head for one of the restaurants in the surrounding villages. You'll discover typical, healthy cuisine. A perfect time to spend on your vacation in Catalonia.
Leave a Reply