The Roman Theater in Cartagena is one of the finest examples of Roman theater architecture on the Iberian Peninsula. Built between 5 and 1 BC, during the reign of Emperor Augustus, it is a testament to the power and cultural influence of Rome in the province of Hispania. Fascinatingly, this architectural treasure was discovered relatively recently - it wasn't until 1988 that excavations began, revealing to the world this impressive monument hidden beneath a medieval cathedral.

The theater could accommodate some 6,000 spectators, a testament to the importance of Cartagena (Roman Carthago Nova) as an important administrative and cultural center. Its design reflects the classical principles of Roman theater architecture as described by Vitruvius. The auditorium (cavea) was divided into three sections corresponding to the social hierarchy - the lowest rows were reserved for the elite, while ordinary citizens occupied the higher seats. Particularly impressive is the scaenae frons - a monumental stage façade decorated with columns and statues, which served as a backdrop for the performances.

The uniqueness of the theater in Cartagena lies in its combination of museum and archaeological functions. The modern Roman Theater Museum, designed by the famous architect Rafael Monea, takes visitors through an underground corridor under the Santa María district, where artifacts discovered during excavations are displayed. This journey ends with a spectacular view of the theater itself, creating an unforgettable experience of confronting modernity with antiquity.

Local legends claim that beneath the theater is a network of secret tunnels leading to other parts of the ancient city and even to the port. Although archaeologists have not confirmed these stories, they add to the mystery of the place. It is worth knowing that the theater was not only a place of entertainment, but also a tool of Romanization - theatrical performances were used to promote Roman culture and values among the local population.

Unlike many other Roman monuments in Spain, the theater in Cartagena has been preserved in surprisingly good condition, which allowed for a partial reconstruction using original elements. During your visit, you can admire the marble columns, fragments of statues of members of the imperial family and architectural details that attest to the wealth and importance of the site in Roman times. Particularly impressive is the view from the upper rows of the auditorium, which offers a panoramic view of the ancient theater and the modern city, creating a fascinating contrast between past and present.

Merida, the ancient Augusta Emerita, founded in 25 BC by Emperor Augustus as a colony for war veterans, hides some of the best-preserved Roman monuments in the entire Iberian Peninsula. The city was the capital of the province of Lusitania and one of the most important administrative centers in the western part of the Roman Empire. Today, its ancient treasures are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a veritable feast for lovers of archaeology and history.

The Temple of Diana, contrary to its name, was probably not dedicated to the goddess of hunting, but to imperial worship. This fascinating example of Roman sacred architecture has been preserved in exceptionally good condition mainly because it was incorporated into the palace of the Count de los Corbos in the 16th century. As a result, the original Corinthian columns and part of the entablature have survived, allowing one to imagine the original monumentality of this building. The temple was built on an elevated platform (podium), which was typical of Roman religious buildings and was meant to emphasize their importance in the urban space.

Local guides often cite a legend according to which a treasure from Roman times was hidden in the temple's foundations. It is said that in the 18th century a resident of Merida had a dream in which he saw the place where the valuables were hidden, but when he tried to find them, he was frightened away by mysterious phenomena. Since then, no one has dared to conduct a search, and the treasure - if it exists - is still waiting to be discovered.

Near the temple is the Arch of Trajan, a monumental granite structure that originally served as a gateway leading to the provincial forum. Erected in the early 2nd century AD, the arch is 15 meters high and is the only surviving gate of the three that once surrounded the forum. Interestingly, despite the name suggesting a connection to Emperor Trajan, it is uncertain whether the arch was actually erected in his honor. Some researchers suggest that it may have been dedicated to another emperor or deity.

Trajan's arch, unlike many similar structures in the Roman Empire, is not decorated with reliefs or inscriptions, making it difficult to determine its exact function and symbolism. However, this austerity of form gives it a special monumental character. Over the centuries, the arch has witnessed the turbulent history of the city - during the medieval period it served as part of the fortifications, and in modern times it has become a symbol of Merida and an inspiration for local artists.

It is worth knowing that both the Temple of Diana and the Arch of Trajan are part of a larger archaeological complex, which also includes an amphitheater, theater, circus and other public buildings. Merida holds an annual Classical Theater Festival, during which Greek and Roman plays are staged in the ancient theater, allowing visitors to experience these monuments as they were used two thousand years ago.

A lesser-known but equally fascinating aspect of Roman Merida is its extensive water system. The city had several aqueducts, the most famous of which, Los Milagros (The Miracle), is partially preserved today. These impressive engineering structures supplied water to thermal baths, fountains and private homes, testifying to the high level of civilization. As you walk around modern Merida, you may come across fragments of Roman water and sewage pipes that are still under the surface of the streets.

On the coast of Cadiz, in the picturesque Bay of Bologna, is one of the best-preserved Roman towns in Spain - Baelo Claudia. Located off the main tourist routes, this remarkable site offers a unique opportunity to see what a typical Roman provincial town looked like. Founded in the 2nd century BC, Baelo Claudia developed as an important trading center and a center for the production of garum, the famous Roman fish sauce that was exported to the farthest corners of the empire.

The theater in Baelo Claudia, though smaller than its counterparts in Cartagena or Merida, impresses with its intimate atmosphere and excellent location overlooking the Atlantic. Built in the first century A.D., it could accommodate about 1,500 spectators, which was the population of the city. Its design reflects the classical principles of Roman theater architecture, with a semicircular auditorium (cavea) and rectangular stage (pulpitum). Of particular interest is the fact that the theater was built on a natural slope, which was a typical solution to save on construction costs.

Local legends tell of mysterious sounds of music and applause that can be heard in the ruins of the theater during the full moon. According to local fishermen, these are the ghosts of former actors and spectators who are still playing their roles. Although scientists explain these phenomena by the acoustics of the place and the action of the wind, these stories add a magical dimension to a visit to this ancient theater.

The uniqueness of Baelo Claudia is that here we can see the complete layout of the Roman city with forum, temples, basilica, thermae, theater and garum factories. Particularly impressive is the complex of three temples dedicated to the Capitoline triad of deities, Jupiter, Juno and Minerva, which dominated the forum. This part of the city was not only a religious center, but also a political and administrative center.

Unlike many other Roman cities, Baelo Claudia was not covered by later buildings, which allowed archaeologists to expose almost its entire area. As a result, today we can walk along streets lined with original slabs, see the foundations of dwellings and workshops, and even the remains of the sewer system. This completeness is why Baelo Claudia is referred to as the 'Spanish Pompeii,' although unlike the Italian city, it was not destroyed by a natural disaster, but gradually abandoned as a result of earthquakes and invasions in the 4th to 6th centuries AD.

A fascinating aspect of Baelo Claudia is its connection to Africa. Through the Strait of Gibraltar, which is only 14 kilometers wide at its narrowest point, the city maintained intensive trade and cultural contacts with the North African provinces of Rome. The museum displays artifacts testifying to these connections - coins, ceramics and everyday objects from the areas of present-day Morocco and Algeria.

For lovers of archaeology and history, Baelo Claudia offers a unique experience of interacting with the past in an authentic context. Unlike crowded archaeological sites in major cities, here you can contemplate the life of the ancient Romans at the edge of their empire in peace. A state-of-the-art interpretive center provides detailed information about the history of the city and the artifacts found, and a walk through the ruins overlooking the blue waters of the Atlantic creates an unforgettable aesthetic experience combining history and nature.