Complutum was granted the status of a 'municipium' by the Roman Empire, allowing its residents certain legal privileges.
The city's name derives from the Latin 'compluvium,' referring to the drainage point in a Roman house roof.
Archaeologists discovered a rare collection of 4th-century frescoes, now housed in the local regional archaeological museum.
The city was strategically located along the Roman road connecting Caesaraugusta (Zaragoza) and Emerita Augusta (Mérida).
The House of Hippolytus served as a 'schola,' or youth training center, which is a rare discovery in the region.
The site includes remnants of an 'oecus,' a large reception hall typically used for formal social gatherings.
Many of the mosaics found on-site depict mythological figures, including sea deities and fish motifs.
The city was intentionally moved to its current location in Alcalá de Henares following the Visigothic period.
The site serves as a vital research lab for ongoing archaeological studies regarding ancient water management.
The Roman City of Complutum is the only Roman city in the Community of Madrid, located within the modern municipality of Alcalá de Henares. It served as the precursor to the medieval town of Alcalá and functioned as a significant administrative and commercial hub during the Roman era. The site preserves remnants of a forum, thermal baths, and private residences featuring intricate mosaics. Excavations have revealed a complex urban layout characterized by paved streets and sophisticated water drainage systems. Notable among the findings is the House of Hippolytus, an educational facility for youth situated slightly apart from the main residential area. The site provides tangible evidence of Roman domestic architecture, including atrium-style layouts and painted wall frescoes. It remains a crucial archaeological site for understanding the Romanization of the Iberian Peninsula's interior. Visitors walk through open-air ruins that showcase the transition between ancient Roman urban planning and local adaptation.
The elevated viewing platforms that allow for a panoramic perspective of the forum and main residential foundations.
Wear comfortable, closed-toe walking shoes to navigate the gravel paths and uneven ground.
Bring a hat and sunscreen as there is very little natural shade in the open-air archaeological park.
Carry a bottle of water, especially during the summer months when heat levels are significant.
Do not wander off the marked paths, as the archaeological strata are fragile and protected.
Closed on Mondays.
Do not touch or lean on the excavated walls, mosaics, or artifacts.
