Lucentum Archaeological Site

Lucentum forms the heart of ancient Alicante and is one of the most important archaeological sites in the Valencian Community. Located on the Tossal de Manises, just 3 kilometers from the city center and near Albufereta Beach, this site offers a journey back to the Iberian-Roman era. Covering an area of 5 hectares, with 2.5 hectares dedicated to the urban core of the Roman city, it was declared a Historic-Artistic Monument in 1961. The site preserves its original urban layout in excellent condition, surrounded by a 600-meter-long wall. Over its centuries of history, Lucentum experienced periods of prosperity and decline, reaching its peak during the reign of Emperor Augusto, when it was granted the status of a Roman municipality. During this time, the city was modernized with the construction of a forum, public baths, temples, and a sophisticated sewage system. Although the city was ultimately abandoned in the 3rd century AD, the site continued to be used as a quarry and later as an Islamic necropolis between the 8th and 10th centuries AD. Today, the archaeological site of Lucentum stands as a must-visit destination for history and archaeology enthusiasts, where every stone tells a millennia-old story.