La provincia de Sevilla

Our province

Life and landscape in a diverse and monumental province

Santiponce

4368
11

Santiponce, the symbol of Rome in Hispania

Santiponce bears witness to the splendour of the first Roman city in Spain, Italica, popularly known as ‘Sevilla la vieja’. Its ruins attest to this city’s power, the birthplace of the emperors Trajan and Hadrian, and a symbol of Rome in Hispania. It is today the finest legacy in Andalusia of its Roman past and only seven kilometres from Seville. Its privileged location in the Aljarafe has made Santiponce the ideal place to live.

The town has another heritage treasure, the San Isidoro del Campo Monastery, around which the current town was founded. In the Middle Ages, Santiponce was located on the banks of the River Guadalquivir, where Seville’s Olympic Stadium now stands. Continuous floods caused the population to shelter in the Monastery, leading to the construction of the new Santiponce that exists today. 

If you wish to find out more about this thousand-year-old town, come and live the essence of this unique spot, where the past has contributed to its current greatness.


Getting to Santiponce

If you go from Seville by car, take the SE-30 ring road towards Mérida until exit 808 and then enter the N-630 until your destination. 

By train, take line C5 from Santa Justa Station in Seville and get off at Valencina-Santiponce. You can then take a taxi to your destination. 

If you decide to take the bus, get on the M-170A line from Plaza de Armas Bus Station in Seville, which stops at Santiponce. 


Getting around

Santiponce is a walking-friendly town. Given its small size, it is easy to explore on foot or, if you prefer, by bike. 


Reasons to visit

  • You will be impressed by Italica’s splendour. It ruins have appeared in films and TV series.
  • You have to sample the typical local dish, thrush rice. 
  • Do not miss the Aljarafe’s Stations of the Cross through Italica on the first Saturday of Lent, declared a National Tourist Interest. 
  • If you are a runner, sign up for the Italica International Cross Race and enjoy running in this unique setting. 
  • Moreover, if you like the performing arts, you cannot miss the Italica International Dance Festival at the beginning of July. Enjoy impressive shows in the Roman Theatre and Monastery.
  • Visit San Isidoro del Campo Monastery and discover its beautiful works of art. 


What to see 

Santiponce’s most iconic attraction is Italica’s Archaeological Site. Book a guided tour to gain deeper insight into the greatness of this ancient city, a symbol of Rome in Hispania. You will experience one of few well-preserved Roman amphitheatres in Spain, and walk among the former streets of this city, admiring splendid mosaics, temples and thermal baths. 

Pay attention to the details as you explore ancient Italica. Each engraved stone has an interesting story or a unique significance that will help you understand the daily life of that period. 

After learning about Santiponce’s Roman past, head to the Gothic-Mudejar San Isidoro del Campo Monastery, Europe’s southernmost Cistercian convent. Enjoy the works of art that decorate its walls, including the valuable altarpiece by the baroque master Juan Martínez Montañés. This Monastery was the first monument in the province of Seville to be declared a Historic-Artistic Site. 

The Monastery took its name from San Isidoro, as legend has it that he was buried here until his remains were transferred to the Leon’s Collegiate Church in 1063. The Conquistador of Mexico, Hernán Cortés, was also buried here, although he now rests in the Aztec country. 

Another remarkable place to visit is the Fernando Marmolejo Municipal Museum, the goldsmith of Seville. The replicas of the Tartessian Lebrija candelabra and Seville’s Almohad keys are among the chief works of art he donated. The Augustus Roman Theatre, another civil monument to Italica’s splendour, can be found near the museum.

To round-off your visit, sample the local cuisine in one of the restaurants. Allow yourself the luxury of enjoying thrush rice, a typical Santiponce dish. You will surely want to return another day for more. 


Places to visit

  1. Itálica Archaeological Site
  2. San Isidoro del Campo Monastery
  3. Roman Theatre
  4. Cotidiana Vitae, reenactment of daily life in ancient Rome
  5. Fernando Marmolejo Municipal Museum


Surroundings

Santiponce is 9 kilometres from Seville, within its metropolitan area, in the Aljarafe region. The municipality is built over the ruins of the ancient Roman city of Italica. It is part of the Silver Route and the Roman Baetica Route. 

Comarca
Aljarafe
Extension
8.40 Km²
Altitude
14.00 m
No. of inhabitants
8.442
Labels

0 comments

New comment

The comments are moderated, so it takes a while to appear. If they contain offensive language they will not be published.