Thermal baths and medieval necropolis of San Juan de Maliaño

San Juan de Maliaño is an archaeological site located in Camargo. It offers a fascinating glimpse into the past, presenting a temporal sequence that is essential for studying the historical processes that developed in Cantabria. In 2002, the site was declared a cultural heritage site (bien de interés cultural) with the category of archaeological zone.

To assist visitors, explanatory panels and a model are available. The model reconstructs how the architectural complex must have originally looked in Roman times. The site is partially covered to preserve the remains, and there is a passageway for observing the ruins from above.

The oldest part of the site dates back to Roman occupation, where a thermal complex and the atrium of a Roman domus have been documented. The thermal complex has a rectangular plant with two semi-circular apses, and the atrium of the domus dates back to the first third of the 2nd century. Over the Roman settlement, medieval people used the site for religious purposes and burials. A Románica church (San Sebastián) from the 12th century stands on the archaeological site, surrounded by a medieval necropolis with slab tombs. Additionally, various simple pit graves from the late 15th century have been documented.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons