Numantia, Garray, Spain - SpottingHistory

Numantia was an ancient Celtiberian settlement. It was an Iron Age hill fort, which controlled a crossing of the river Duero.

Numantia is famous for its role in the Celtiberian Wars. In the year 153 BC Numantia experienced its first serious conflict with Rome. After 20 years of hostilities, in the year 133 BC the Roman Senate gave Scipio Aemilianus Africanus the task of destroying Numantia. He laid siege to the city, erecting a nine kilometre fence supported by towers, moats, impaling rods and so on. After 13 months of siege, the Numantians decided to burn the city and die free rather than live and be slaves.

After the destruction, there are remains of occupation in the 1st century BC, with a regular street plan but without great public buildings. Its decay starts in the 3rd century, but with Roman remains still from the 4th century. Later remains from the 6th century hint of a Visigoth occupation.

Prehistoric and archaeological sites in Spain

User Reviews

Helen Sender (2 years ago)
Great audio guide and interesting recreated houses you can go in and see how they were distributed and tools they used, etc. Great gift shop and discounted prices for children and teachers. A bit exposed, not much shade.

Martin Rubino (3 years ago)
Interesting site, but what made my day was an AMAZING guide. Unfortunately I don't remember her name, but she really made history come to life.

Tim Shimmin (3 years ago)
Numancia is the true story of the Spanish equivalent of Asterix the Gaul. A great place to inspire adults and children. Tremendous story and a landscape to inspire and you have easy access to services in nearby Garray. Well worth a visit or two.

Simon Kerr (4 years ago)
Very informative and we'll restored. It's a pity some of the more interesting artifacts have been taken to Soria

Steeve Nicks (5 years ago)
Students (including graduate students) get in free. Wheelchair accessible parking and gift shop, but the archeological area itself is not completely wheelchair friendly. The reconstructed buildings are extremely well done, and the audio guide (your cellphone with your data plan + their free 3.5 jack earphones) was informative (English, French and Spanish - maybe others). The vistas from the area are really beautiful. The lady in the gift shop is very friendly and kind, but speaks limited English. However, she understood my broken Spanish really well! The gift shop had a nice assortment of souvenirs from 2€ for some pendants and bracelets to €€€ for a period outfit (armor, shield, etc). I think all the magazines, books, and comic books were in Spanish. The post card selection was a little limited, but overall, there was something for everyone and for every age. Due to Covid-19, the tour guide is not working. I hear he's fantastic. I think there is a little snack kiosk in normal times, but with Covid-19 that building was closed. It was super windy and the wind was bitterly cold, so my host and friend were not as slow to read the plaques describing the different areas as I was, consequently, I skipped and skimmed them. They happen to be in Spanish, but if you have the audio guide you don't need to read them. Personally, I like reading them. I don't know if any buses go there from Soria, but it's worth a visit. I'm not sure if picnics are allowed, but the hill would be great for a picnic. The little village/hamlet at the foot of the hill has a couple of places to eat, and even a little hotel. After Covid-19 hitchhiking would probably work to get to/from Soria and the archeological site. It's not far from Soria.

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Photo from Flickr, copyright Zvonimir Hrvoj

Historic Site of the week

Church of St Donatus

The Church of St Donatus name refers to Donatus of Zadar, who began construction on this church in the 9th century and ended it on the northeastern part of the Roman forum. It is the largest Pre-Romanesque building in Croatia.

The beginning of the building of the church was placed to the second half of the 8th century, and it is supposed to have been completed in the 9th century. The Zadar bishop and diplomat Donat (8th and 9th centuries) is credited with the building of the church. He led the representations of the Dalmatian cities to Constantinople and Charles the Great, which is why this church bears slight resemblance to Charlemagne's court chapels, especially the one in Aachen, and also to the Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna. It belongs to the Pre-Romanesque architectural period.

The circular church, formerly domed, is 27 m high and is characterised by simplicity and technical primitivism.

Numantia

Address

Details

More Information

Rating

Interesting Sites Nearby

User Reviews

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Finest Norman castles in Italy

Exploring the History of Northern Poland

Discovering Slovenia's Historic Wonders

Historic Site of the week

Church of St Donatus