Sevilla is a wonderful city, just see my last post. But sometimes it’s great to get out of the city and experience something more relaxed. On my last day in Sevilla, I went to Itálica, considered to be the first Roman settlement in Hispania. However, people today may recognize it more for being the Dragon Pit in Game of Thrones.
Let’s be real. The main reason I went there was because of its GoT connection. When I visited San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, it was full of fans playing the theme song and decked out in fan t-shirts. What a pleasant surprise when Itálica was nearly empty.
Getting There
I was pretty frazzled because Andalucían service slowed me down: I stopped for a quick breakfast and left a half hour later, meaning I just missed the bus out to Itálica. Luckily, buses leave every 30 minutes from the Plaza de Armas bus station. You pay for a ticket on the bus (just tell the driver you’re going to Itálica) and take the 30 minute bus journey through Camas and ending at the destination. The bus ticket costs €1.60 each way. Don’t be worried by all the stops. Itálica is the final stop and you can’t miss it.
When you do get there, if you are an EU citizen, entrance is free. If you’re a citizen of any other country, don’t be too salty. Entrance is only €1.50. If you want to know more than what you see, you can also book a tour through the website, but it’s going to cost around €30.
The Dragon Pit
The crown jewel of Itálica is the former colosseum/amphitheater that was used as the Dragon Pit. It’s still in pretty good condition, but you can’t walk on it. One path takes you up to the top a hill that allows an overhead look of the stadium. Down at the bottom, you can walk around in the sand and get a 360° view.
There are lots of little entryways that you can walk through, especially when it’s summertime and the sun is beating down. It really is something fantastic and special to look at, imagining all the history that happened there. When I was there, there were even several couples taking wedding pictures because it looks that cool.
Walking Around
Although the stadium is the main and most jaw-dropping part, Itálica was actually a city back in the Roman days. I head a tour guide tell some girls that it was home to around 700 people in the 200s BC. Walking around the compound, you can see the places where the people lived, where the aqueduct was, and even where they went to keep things cold.
Itálica has been under excavation for several decades. One of their favorite pieces is the Neptune mosaic that they have pieced back together. It’s still missing some sections, but it always amazes me that someone can find mosaic pieces and put it together like a jigsaw. There were several mosaics around the villa, so take your pick!
For me, I was there at 11 o’clock in the morning, but the June Sevilla sun was already out in full force and making me incredibly hot. If you do venture out there in the summer, be sure to bring along a bottle of water. I only stayed for about an hour an half before taking the same bus back into Sevilla.
Visit Itálica
Even if you aren’t a Game of Thrones fan like me, Itálica is still an interesting visit. I am always amazed by Roman ruins because their older than anything in the Americas. It’s so cheap to visit and provides a respite from the busy Sevilla lifestyle. I was really surprised by how empty it was, which made me feel freer to roam around. Finally, a recommendation, don’t go in summer.
