EMPÚRIES - ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE AND MUSEUM

Empúries was named Emporion (market) by the Greeks, who established a trading post here. It was the gateway to the Roman conquest of the Iberian Peninsula. The ruins, surrounded by umbrella pines, are located on a beautiful seafront site, south of the Gulf of Roses. Three centers make up the site: Paliápolis, the ancient city, Neápolis, the Greek new town, and the Roman city. The Archaeology Museum is also located here. It takes just over an hour to visit the archaeological sites and around 20 minutes to visit the museum.

Museum of Archaeology: on display are artefacts discovered on the site and models of temples. Among the most interesting pieces are mosaics depicting the sacrifice of Iphigenia and the Partridge. A well-produced 20-minute audiovisual presentation of the site's history is shown in the auditorium.

Neápolis: unlike Paliápolis, the archeological site of Neápolis has been fully excavated, despite the fact that buildings have been superimposed over more than a thousand years. The city was fortified by a wall (a small part of which has been preserved) and towers. Among the few remains still visible: drinking water cisterns, temple columns and altar, statue bases and the ruins of a covered market.

Roman city: opposite Neápolis lies the Roman city, which has not been fully excavated. Its walls have been partially restored. Remains include two houses, a forum and an amphitheatre. House 1 features a six-column atrium decorated with mosaics and murals. House 2B has a columned atrium and peristyle. It features beautiful mosaic pavements. A little further down are the ruins of the forum, the heart of the city, once surrounded by numerous temples and stores. A little further on, on the other side of the walls, you can make out the remains of the elliptical amphitheatre.

A 1 km walk along the seafront takes you to the remains of the medieval village of Sant Marti d'Empúries.