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Roman Empire Tour to Segóbriga, Lapis Specularis Mines and Noheda Villa from Madrid
+8
11 hours
Spanish
Free cancellation if canceled at least 1000 days before the start of the experience. 0 % of the reservation will be refunded if canceled 1 day or less before the start of the experience. 100 % of the reservation will be refunded if canceled 1000 days or less before the start of the experience.
Description
Step into the world of Roman Hispania and uncover how the trade of Lapis Specularis transformed this part of inland Spain into a thriving economic centre over 2,000 years ago. Departing from Madrid, this full-day route reveals extraordinary archaeological sites where theatres, baths, villas and underground mines still preserve the legacy of the Roman Empire.
The tour begins at Plaza del Conde de Casal, accompanied by a specialised guide who will provide historical context throughout the journey. The first stop is Segóbriga, regarded as one of the best-preserved Roman cities in Spain. Its forum, theatre, amphitheatre and monumental public buildings reflect the prosperity generated by the extraction of Lapis Specularis, a translucent mineral widely used by Romans as window glass before flat glass production became common.
Walking through the ancient streets offers a vivid insight into daily life in Roman times. You will visit the impressive amphitheatre, capable of hosting more than 5,000 spectators, alongside the thermal baths and the remains of the circus area. Segóbriga was one of the very few Roman cities in Hispania equipped with a theatre, amphitheatre and circus at the same time.
The experience continues at the Roman Lapis Specularis mines, where you will learn how this valuable mineral was extracted and transported across the Empire as a luxury material. Exploring these underground galleries also provides a closer understanding of the working conditions faced by Roman miners centuries ago.
There will be free time for lunch in Cuenca before heading to the final stop: the Roman Villa of Noheda. This archaeological site houses one of the largest and most extraordinary figurative Roman mosaics ever discovered, extending across nearly 300 square metres. The guided visit also includes residential areas of the villa and its extensive Roman baths.
Ancient stone theatres, hidden mining galleries and richly detailed mosaics create an atmosphere that brings Roman history strikingly close. Each site reveals a different layer of the Empire’s presence in central Spain, leaving behind the sensation of having travelled through centuries of civilisation and splendour.
What should you know before you go?
- Approximate duration: 11 hours
- Available language: Spanish
- Meeting point: Plaza del Conde de Casal, 6, Madrid
- Scheduled departure time: 08:30 am
- Estimated return to Madrid around 7:30 pm
- Minimum recommended age: 5 years old
- Hotel pick-up service is not available
- Meals are not included
What to bring?
- Comfortable footwear
- Warm clothing during winter
- Cap and water in summer
Together let's take care of the environment and turn the future into a better destination. For a regenerative tourism.
