Santiponce

SANTIPONCE

by Saskia Mier

Santiponce is home to the Roman ruins of Itálica, which are probably the best-known features of the area. The town is also part of two important routes: the Ruta de la Plata and the Ruta Bética Romana. It has about 8,400 inhabitants.

HISTORY

Being on a busy route, it has been a place of settlement since prehistory, with remains of Iberian and Turdetan tribes. The Roman General, Publio Cornelio Escipión, dubbed "El Africano" after the victory against the Carthaginians, decided to found a city in the fertile plain of the River Betis, so that his troops could settle down and rest. The city was baptized Itálica.

During the reign of Augustus the city was renamed, Colonia Aelia Augusta Itálica, where the Emperors Trajan, Hadrian and Theodosius I originated from. The city was prosperous until the third century A.D, but fell into decline from the fourth century.

In the tenth century the city was called Tálica and later in the Middle Ages known as Campos de Talca. In 1301, the Monasterio de San Isidoro del Campo was built, and the town sometimes called Seville "La Vieja", was then in an area known as Isla de Hierro, where the Sevillian Olympic Stadium is currently located. However, this area flooded in 1603 and survivors went to reside in the Monastery, where the new town was later built.

THINGS TO SEE

Monasterio de San Isidoro del Campo
It was the first monument to obtain the title of Historical-Artistic Monument of National Interest of the province of Seville in 1872. It was built in 1301 by, Alonso Pérez de Guzmán, known as Guzmán "El Bueno", as the result of a concession of Fernando IV of Castile in 1298 to lay the remains of Alonso. The monastery was occupied by Cistercian monks until 1431 and by Jerónimos until 1978. Amongst some of its amazing work of art, the monastery also housed one of the best libraries of Spain. Located on Calle Guzmán el Bueno.

Opening Times:
Tuesday-Thursday, 10:00-15:00hrs
Friday and Saturday, 10:0-19:00hrs.
Price: Free Entrance
Tel: 955 99 80 28
Email: [email protected]

Itálica
The ancient Roman city was founded in 206 B.C by Escipión "El Africano" with the name Vicus Italicenses, and abandoned after the fourth century A.D. With the gradual decline of the Roman Empire, its ruins today can be visited. The amphitheatre had a capacity for 25,000 people, one of the largest of the empire with three levels of stands. Underneath the wooden level floor is a service moat for different spectacles of gladiators and beasts. Other features of Itálica include the ancient walls, Casa de Neptuno, Casa del Patio Rodio, Casa de Hilas, Casa de los Pájaros, Trianeum (temple dedicated to Trajan), Casa del Planetario and Termas Mayores (hot springs). Many objects of this city are preserved in the Archaeological Museum of Seville,  Casa de Pilatos and Museo Municipal (Municipal Museum). Located on Avenida Extremadura.

Opening Times:
1 January-31 March, Tuesday-Saturday, 09:00-17:30hrs
1 January-31 March, Sunday and Holidays, 09:00-15:30hrs
16 September-31 December, Tuesday-Saturday, 09:00-17:30hrs
16 September-31 December, Sunday and Holidays, 09:00-15:30hrs
1 April-15 June, Tuesday-Saturday, 09:00-19:30hrs
1 April-15 June, Sunday and Holidays, 09:00-15:30hrs
16 June-15 September, Tuesday-Sunday and Holidays, 09:00-15:30hrs
Price: Member of the EU, free entrance.
Other countries, 1.50 euro
The ticket office closes 30 minutes before closing.
Tel: 955 12 38 47

Teatro Romano
At the beginning of the imperial phase of Rome, a theatre was built in the eastern part with temples dedicated to Venus, Diana and Mercury. Its use continued until the third century, when it was abandoned, and part of it used for warehouses and pens. The theatre was rediscovered in 1970. Since the 1990s, theatrical performances have been performed in the theatre. Located on Calle la Feria.

Museo Cotidiana Vitae Centro Temático de la Vida Cotidiana en Roma
The museum gives an insight view to the second century D.C. Visits are always guided and their approximate duration is one hour, with access to a recreated Roman street with stalls, stands, tavern and thermal baths in which the virtual visit is recreated by means of a visual audio 'Las Termas Romanas', which won the first prize in the VIII International Competition of Digital Animation, SICARM 2011 of Murcia. Located in Plaza de la Constitución.

Opening Times:
Tuesday-Saturday, 10:00-14:00hrs and 16:00-18:00hrs (Winter)
Sunday and Holidays, 10:00-14:00hrs (Winter)
Tuesday-Saturday, 10:00-14:00hrs and 18:00-20:00hrs (Summer)
Sunday and Holidays, 10:00-14:00hrs (Summer)
Guided Tours: 
Morning, 10:00-11:00, 11:00-12:00, 12:00-13:00, 13:00-14:00hrs
Afternoon, 16:00-17:00 and 17:00-18:00hrs
Tel: 954 51 59 71

Museo Municipal Fernando Marmolejo
The exhibition is composed of six permanent exhibition halls from different periods of the history of Santiponce. These include Itálica (with pieces from Roman times), Medieval City (with pieces from the Monastery San Isidoro del Campo) and Santiponce from 1850 (showing daily life in the last 150 years). Located in Calle Feria.

Opening Times:
1 October-31 March, Tuesday-Thursday, 10:00-14:00hrs
1 October-31 March, Sunday and Holidays, 10:00-14:00hrs
1 October-31 March, Friday and Saturday, 10:00-14:00hrs and 16:00-19:00hrs
1 April-30 September, Tuesday-Sunday, 10:00-14:00hrs
Price: Free Entrance
Tel: 955 99 80 28

GASTRONOMY

Typical dishes to try in Santiponce are arroz con pollo (rice with chicken), espinacas con garbanzos (spinach with chickpeas), pollo entomatado (chicken with tomato) and sopa de picadillo (stock served with boiled egg, ham and croutons).

FESTIVALS

Cabalgata Reyes Magos
Three Kings procession celebrated on the evening of 5 January.

Carnaval
Celebrated in February.

Semana Santa
Holy Week.

Romería de San Isidoro del Campo
Celebrated the first weekend of May.

Velá de la Virgen del Carmen
Celebrated in July.

Feria
Celebrated beginning of October.

NEXT PLACES

The next villages to Santiponce are Camas, Valencina de la Concepción and La Algaba.

Book Hotels in Santiponce

Italica Hostel

Located in Santiponce and with Isla Mágica reachable within 7.7 km, Italica Hostel provides concierge services, allergy-free rooms, a garden, free WiFi throughout the property and a terrace. The property is around 8.8 km from Triana Bridge - Isabel II Bridge, 9.1 km from Plaza de Armas and 11 km from Alcazar Palace.

 

Booking.com

 


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