Lucentum — Tossal de Manises

An archaeological site with the ruins of the Roman town of Lucentum in Alicante's Albufereta district, run by the MARQ museum. The walls and gate, forum, baths and streets survive, and there is a tram stop of the same name next to it.

Lucentum – Tossal de Manises is an archaeological site in the Albufereta district, about 3.5 km from the centre of Alicante, on a 38-metre hill overlooking the former lagoon and the bay. The site is managed by the MARQ archaeological museum. The settlement was founded in the 4th century BC by the Iberian Contestani, who had contacts with Greeks and Phoenicians. During the Second Punic War it came under Carthaginian influence, and it was destroyed around 200 BC. It may be the town the Greeks called Akra Leuke. In the late 2nd century BC the walls were rebuilt with new towers and an Eastern Gate, and under Augustus Lucentum became a municipium. In its heyday, between the 1st century BC and the 1st century AD, the town gained a forum, public baths, temples and a sewer system. Its decline began in the late 1st century AD, as nearby Ilici (today's Elche) drew trade away, and it was finally abandoned in the 3rd century AD. In the Islamic period the hill was used as a cemetery. The site covers about 2.5 hectares, and its defensive wall has a perimeter of about 600 metres. Mostly the foundations of buildings, streets and walls survive, so expect a walk among ruins rather than grand monuments. Highlights include the Eastern Gate with its towers, the forum with footprints preserved at its entrance, two public baths, shops, peristyle houses and opus signinum floors. The site has been protected as a historic-artistic monument since 1961, and major conservation work has been carried out since the 1990s. Finds from the necropolis include pottery vessels, jewellery and Egyptian amulets. The MARQ runs guided tours, which come up often in reviews, and one visitor considers them well worth joining. Visitors also mention the information panels, good signposting and quiet atmosphere, and one says about an hour is enough for the visit. The site is fully exposed, so the MARQ recommends comfortable shoes, a hat, water and sun protection. It suits fans of ancient Rome and anyone curious about Alicante's origins, and the Lucentum tram stop is right next to it.