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The whole site, which sits between an oil refinery and a coal fired power station, covers 27 hectares, and is bounded by the line of the old Roman city wall. There is a fine Roman staircase to the original Forum, an impressive Bath House, two small areas of residential buildings and the fish factory. This is where the Tuna was salted, and the disgusting-sounding Garum sauce was made from the blood and guts of the fish. These were then exported to the entire Roman Empire. There is also an old 16th Century Watch Tower, largely constructed from the remains of the nearby Roman City Wall, remains of which can still be seen. The last part of the visit covers one of over 500 surviving military bunkers, built, but not used, during World War 2, in case Spain had been drawn into the conflict. We had a bit of difficulty finding the site from the west bound A7, and would recommend going to junction 115, crossing to east bound carriageway and then exiting at 116, from where it is signed. It's an interesting, hour long guided tour, likely to be busier at weekends and in the summer months. We arrived for an 11.00 tour, and had a personal tour with the excellent guide, who luckily for us, spoke superb English. (There is an English guide on the Andalusian web site, which is recommended for downloading, but we forgot.) Take your own water, as there is no cafe or bar, though there are toilets (portable ones).…
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Date of experience: September 2019
2 Helpful votes
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This Roman site feels like it could have been lost forever, surrounded by industrial plants, commercial shipping ports and military encampments. The site is only accessed with a tour guide and each tour last roughly an hour, which is free of charge. Our guide knew a little English but she was happy to provide each of our group with a photocopied translation for the site visit. Don't expect to see mosaics or Roman statues, as it feels like a great of the stones have been removed or destroyed. The site has also been subject numerous changes during it's history. At one time a baptism pool was added and later, tunnels were dug to repel a military invasion from Gibraltar. It's still a fascinating site and I feel with more investment and time there's probably much more to discover.…
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Date of experience: August 2019
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This Roman site is difficult to find. It is located near the shore of San Roque next to several chemical plants, but google maps gives the good directions and there are some signs in the near neighbourhood. There are compulsory guided tours every hour from 10.00 till 13.00 hours. Entrance is free. You can compare Carteia with Baelo Claudia near Tarifa. Bot Roman cities had fish salting factories in the same age and both cities are near the shore. Baelo Claudia has more recognizable excavations however. I think a lot of stones have been reused by local people for new houses. The guided tour ( 1 hour) was informative and had a visit to an unused World war II Bunker as a bonus. The site was used by Phoenicians, Visigoths, Romans, local peasants who build a farm 2 metres from the temple, military and chemical plants. You can see the traces of this use at the site, but still it is a hidden gem.…
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Date of experience: March 2019
1 Helpful vote
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The Roman site itself is fascinating, not at all commercialised, more like an ongoing project. However the whole site is fenced and gated and normally closed. Visits must be organised through the San Roque Tourist Office.
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Date of experience: August 2018
2 Helpful votes
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We thoroughly enjoyed our visit here. What a hidden gem!!! The tour included discussion in English (and Spanish) from 700BC through early AD and the 1800s farmhouse through a WWII “just in case” bunker! Rather overwhelming when you consider how long we each exist on the planet. All for free, we tried to tip the tour guide and/or offer a donation for the site, both were firmly refused. Beautiful signs on the A7 and one after you get off, then you must look for regular signs taking you to something like Ruinos Carteia. Just a little gate on the right...blink and you might miss it. If you are at all interested in history, highly recommend. I hope more is escavated in my lifetime so I can see more of this beauty as it is uncovered!…
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Date of experience: September 2018
2 Helpful votes
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