I had read that the Romans in Calahorra were a strong force, so we investigated further in the museum. We also looked for Roman bits and pieces in the town, and it was fun!
A brief history
In Roman times the town was known as Calagurris Nassica Iulia and this fabulous blog site tells you all about it. The Romans conquered the town at the end of the 2nd century AD and developed it into an important administrative centre. The map from the museum (below) showed the network of Roman roads and centres which quickly developed in Spain.
Pompey and Julius Caesar fought over the town; the Moors took over in c.300AD, and the Spaniards finally regained the town in 1025.
The Museum
The Museum of Romanisation, as it is known, is in the centre of the old town and very interesting, as are all the museums we have visited in Spain.
One section dealt with pottery found in this area, grinding corn for flour to make bread, and dining.
Cooking and eating in Roman times
The walls
As far as I can ascertain the walls are Roman, and the map below is a plan of the city in Roman times.
There are vestiges of the walls all round Calahorra, under current buildings, standing alone, and incorporated into streets and other buildings.
Buildings
La Clinica is the site of a Roman building dating from the end of the 1st century AD. It seems to have been quite substantial but the information building was never open. It stood just outside the city walls.
The site of Las Medranos is an archaeological site in the old town; again, it was not open so I took a picture through the netting surrounds. As far as I can make out this is a site with multiple layers of history; 16th-18th centuries, Medieaval remains, and finally a Roman tower.
The Paseo del Mercadal is today on the site of the former Roman Circus.
Cafes on the Paseo del Mercadal
At the southern end is the City Hall, a statue of Quintiliano and a column known as ‘The Girl'(?), while at the northern end is a statue of La Matrona, close to the Parador. This is apparently late 19th century and celebrates Calahorran resistance and independence.
Bits and pieces!
Calahorra was supplied with water by an aqueduct from Alcanadra-Lodosa, and stored in a reservoir in the town. The water came from springs near Estella. From the reservoir it was led to fountains, homes and public buildings. A system of sewers then took the dirty water out of the town. Information boards showed some of these sites in the town.
Opposite the Parador a piece of masonry is part of the water system.
I feel I don’t really understand the Romans in Calahorra but at least I can leave you with the information that they were there, and they were a significant presence!
I would love to hear from you!