Ancient Roman forum district, Cartagena

Beneath the bustling streets of modern Cartagena lies a hidden secret: the ancient Roman forum district, known as the Barrio del Foro Romano. This archaeological site is built around a Roman street, Decumano, which dates back to the first century but the visible remains today are from a fourth-century reform. Cartagena, the capital of Carthaginense, underwent significant changes during the late imperial period, including a major transformation of Decumano.

A late-imperial portal can still be found at the entrance to the city's port, while a grand Roman thermal establishment on Calle Honda was built in the imperial period and remained in use until the fourth century, undergoing renovations in the third when Cartagena was declared the capital of the Carthaginense province. Visitors today can explore the remains of the thermal establishment, which once contained warm, cold, sauna, and exercise rooms. The sanctuary of Egyptian goddess Isis, built in the mid-first century A.D, is another fascinating discovery at the Barrio del Foro Romano.

The sanctuary features a tetrastyle temple, with four columns, providing access to the chapel where the statue of Isis was located. Three shrines related to the Isis cult can be found at the back of the sanctuary. Cisterns, where water was stored for ceremonies, were found under the sanctuary. The Edificio del atrio, located nearby, has been identified as the seat of a collegium.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons