Lucentum Archaeological Site (Alicante)
Picture: Wikimedia Commons
Located on the outskirts of Alicante, in a region called Tossal de Manises, is the Lucentum Archaeological Site, which houses the ruins of an ancient and important Roman villa of the same name. With an extension exceeding 4 hectares, it is considered one of the most important archaeological sites in the Valencian community.
According to archaeological studies, this entire area corresponds to a historical period during the fourth century BC that was part of an important Roman Iberian villa. It was uninhabited sometime in the third century AD. In fact, there were beliefs that the archaeological site was not Lucentum itself, but an independent settlement. These were later refuted.
At present, it is possible to document that these ruins are not only Lucentum, but that there are clearly identified stages in which the town lived in prosperity, with other stages marked by economic decline – surely the product of the continuous historical misfortunes between Roman factions, rivals or disruption of trade.
In its extensive areas, it has been possible to demarcate housing areas and areas dedicated to commercial activity within a typical Roman grid, with all sections clearly separated and distributed.
Since its discovery and subsequent opening to the public, the Lucentum de Tossal de Manises Archaeological Site has become one of the most visited sites by tourists, academics and students in the region thanks to the effective restoration work and the wise management of the Provincial Archaeological Museum of Alicante, in addition to the Architecture Service.
According to archaeological studies, this entire area corresponds to a historical period during the fourth century BC that was part of an important Roman Iberian villa. It was uninhabited sometime in the third century AD. In fact, there were beliefs that the archaeological site was not Lucentum itself, but an independent settlement. These were later refuted.
At present, it is possible to document that these ruins are not only Lucentum, but that there are clearly identified stages in which the town lived in prosperity, with other stages marked by economic decline – surely the product of the continuous historical misfortunes between Roman factions, rivals or disruption of trade.
In its extensive areas, it has been possible to demarcate housing areas and areas dedicated to commercial activity within a typical Roman grid, with all sections clearly separated and distributed.
Since its discovery and subsequent opening to the public, the Lucentum de Tossal de Manises Archaeological Site has become one of the most visited sites by tourists, academics and students in the region thanks to the effective restoration work and the wise management of the Provincial Archaeological Museum of Alicante, in addition to the Architecture Service.
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