|
|
|
If you like antique remains, in our area you can find several places where the first historic settlers in the Iberian peninsula lived. The Iberian Range keeps some Celt Iberian or Roman settlements which take us back to life in these mountains more than 2,000 years ago. All of them are only partially excavated so they can only show a part of their archaeological value yet, though the archaeological museums in Calatayud and Soria already keep all the pieces found in the excavations in the sites, which explain more efficiently culture and life in our land from centuries -II to +II.
Firstly, in half an hour we can reach Segeda, important Celt Iberian town, which was the first to mint coins in the central Iberian Range. If we go back to the year 153 BC, it was when Rome trying to conquer the Iberian peninsula declared war to Segeda and to make it easier its conquest brought forward the beginning of the year from the Idus of March to the month of February. Yes, in fact, this town was the cause of the start in winter of the present calendar. Nowadays, Segeda has been discovered in the peak El Poyo, near the village of Mara. The festivities of the Idus of March and the Vulcanalia in August recall that distant past. The remains of the old settlement can only be visited in mid-September in a "open doors day".
Aerial view of the remains of Segeda After visiting Mara - Segeda, next step is the Roman site of de Bílbilis at about 6 Km far from present Calatayud. This town was both the birth and burial place of the Latin satiric poet Marcial, author of the famous "Epigrams" where he deeply criticized society of his time in Rome. After Bilbilis, in Calatayud (its inhabitants are still named "bilbilitanos") you can visit its Museo Arqueológico which keeps some interesting pieces from the excavations in Bilbilis.
View of the remains of Roman Bílbilis Finally, as a complement to the previous visits, at about one hour from Calatayud you may be in Soria. At 5 Km from the town, in the village of Garray, in its Peak of Aguas, it's placed the site of Numancia, where the fiercest opposition to the Roman occupation was held by the Celt Iberians. If you visit it at the end of August you can see the historic festival of Keltiberoi. Two views of Numancia. As a completion activity for the world of Celtiberia, it's worth to visit the Museum Numantino, which keeps an important number of pieces of pottery, coins, weapons, utensils, monument reconstructions, etc, which greatly improve our knowledge of life in that distant past. Views of Museo Numantino and detail of a piece of pottery with design of Celt Iberian warriors. After these visit you can take advantage of the Mediaeval monuments which Soria has. For example, you can have a look at the unique arches of Saint John of Duero or even stroll to the chapel of Saint Saturio, following the steps of the well known poet Antonio Machado, who gelonged to the generation of the 98, whose staying in Soria was central in his poetic work. And why not, try the excellent sweet butter of Soria, you'll love it!
Views of the cloister of Saint John on Duero and the Chapel of Saint Saturio |
