Tour description

Cuenqueando offer you a unique experience through a trip to the Roman Empire to discover and get surprised by the monuments and vestiges that remains from this ancient civilization in the province of Cuenca. With this route you will have the chance to enjoy the pleasure of traveling, getting to know all unique corners full of history and beauty, allways with our specialized guides.

ITINERARY

• 8.30 Departure from Madrid
• Guided tour of Segobriga Archaeological Park
• Tour of the Roman mines of Lapis Specularis at Saceda del Río
• 14:00 Lunch
• 16:00 Guided visit to the Roman Villa of Noheda
• 19:30 Arrival to the meeting point

DESCRIPTION

Our departure is at 8:30 a.m.  from Conde de Casal Square, Madrid.

The first place to visit will be Segóbriga, one of the most important Roman cities in the center of Spain, in which some of its most characteristic parts are still preserved, such as the forum, the baths, the theater and the amphitheatre.

Then we go on with our tour visiting one of the most unique roman sites in Cuenca, the Lapis Specularis Mines. Here The Romans extracted this mineral, which they used as window crystal. This mineral became one of the most luxuries items in the 1^st and 2^nd centuries and, therefore, meant a great wealth in the area.

Afterwards, you will have free time to lunch.

We will end our tour with a guided visit to the Roman Villa of Noheda and its famous mosaics. Here we find the largest figurative mosaics found until today from the Roman Empire, with almost 300 square meters of extension.

Our arrival time to Madrid is at 19:30 hrs.

Segóbriga Archaeological Park. It is one of the most important vestiges of the Roman world and this here is its only regular tour from Madrid. The city was the center of economic control and commercialization of the lapis specularis mines, known as the Crystal of Hispania, which allowed its economic boom and its monumentalization from the time of Augustus. It is one of the best examples of a Roman city within the Peninsula, which was the center of lapis specularis mining, the true economic engine of the area in Roman times, something that is clearly reflected in the urban planning of the city itself. There are only 7 Roman cities in Spain that have a theatre, an amphitheater and a circus, and Segóbriga is one of them. We can enjoy the view of an ancient Roman theater and step on the sand of an authentic amphitheater, as well as also visiting its Roman baths.

Lapis Specularis mines: The crystal of Hispania, located at Saceda del Río district.  In a visit designed for small groups, our guide will contextualize the relevance of this material to this region in other times. An authentic Roman mine, where the form and technique of exploitation of these centers, the lighting, the work process, etc. can be observed in a very visual way. These mines are located in an incomparable natural space that makes this visit the perfect tandem between natural and historical excursion.

Lunch time in Huete, which once was the ancient Roman city of Opta.

The Roman Villa of Noheda. This luxurious Roman Villa from the 4th century AD, known as the Spanish Pompeii, houses the largest mosaic in the world. In the villa's triclinium, measuring 231m2, we find this unique mosaic both for its dimensions, for its state of conservation, and for its rich figurative scenes. It is undoubtedly one of the great wonders of the Roman world. Not surprisingly, Katherine Dunbabin, emeritus professor at Oxford University and one of the great experts in mosaic art, declared that it was "the most impressive mosaic she had seen in the entire Roman Empire.".

Tour duration

Offered languages

We started the tour...

TIME: 8:30 a.m.

PLACE: Plaza del Conde de Casal, 6. Next to the door of the Hotel Claridge

We finished the tour...

TIME: 19:30 p.m.

PLACE: Plaza del Conde de Casal, 6. Next to the door of the Hotel Claridge

Included in this tour

• Transport
• Tour guide
• Entrance fees to the listed monuments

Not included in this tour

• Tips
• Everything that is not listed in the inclusions

Additional information

Languages: Spanish, English

Bilingual guide up to 30 visitors. In case of more than 30 seats sold, the company will provide a guide in Spanish and a guide in a second language

Duration: 11 horas

Departures on Fridays

The company has the right to cancel if the total amount of passengers is less than 6

We accept both digital or printed vouchers

The visitors must be at the meeting point at least 10 minutes before departure time

Rates and general terms valid until 12/31/2023