A Walk Through Ancient Roads in Sagunto

Hello everyone. I want to share my experience visiting Sagunto, a city known since ancient times dating back to the era of Hannibal and the Punic Wars.

Sagunto is divided into two parts: the old castle area and the coastal section called Puerto de Sagunto. During my visit, I explored the old area and climbed up to the castle. Sagunto has a population of around 70000 people. Approximately 40000 live in the coastal area, while the remaining 30000 reside in the old town. A few years ago Sagunto gained significant popularity on the internet. There were many reviews and housing evaluations about the region. But this interest has decreased over time and most blogs about Sagunto have disappeared.

We visited this city in the last month of the year. I had been here before and was curious to see what had changed. Throughout history Sagunto has flourished thanks to its port. In the 20th and 21st centuries, industry also became important here. For example, Volkswagen is building a factory in the area to produce batteries for electric vehicles. The factory may already be finished or still under construction. In general Sagunto is known as an industrial city. However, the coastal area Puerto de Sagunto is famous for its beaches and attracts many vacationers.

Sagunto is located about half an hour from Valencia. We went to a park where the weather was quite warm. Although it wasn’t summer, it was great for December. The temperature was 16 degrees and reached 19 degrees during the day.

We walked through narrow streets leading to the historical area. The castle sits atop a hill and marked the end of our walk. While the city is recognized for its industry, there are also numerous orange groves. Agriculture remains an important sector here.

On our way we came across archaeological excavations. The remains of ancient structures can still be seen. During Hannibal’s time, Sagunto was known as As. The city was besieged and fell to Hannibal, an event that triggered the Second Punic War. Hannibal’s famous campaign against Rome began here.

On the way we bought mandarins from a garden. They were fresh and cheaper than in stores.

As we approached the historic center, the streets were bustling with tourists. Its proximity to Valencia and location on the Mediterranean coast make it an attractive destination.

In the center there is a government building and a fountain with a children’s park nearby. Spanish autumns and winters are like this: it feels chilly without the sun, but once the sun comes out, it gets quite warm.

At the very center of the city lies Plaza Mayor the heart of old Sagunto. We also visited the cathedral, where we witnessed a live orchestra performing inside the church. A captivating experience.

In the old city there is also a tower. We headed towards the castle, which is located at the top of the hill. On the way up we passed by a chapel. The old city is home to a Roman Theater as well.

Afterwards we climbed up to the castle. Below you can see the entrance to the Roman Theater, while above stands the castle. The Roman Theater as far as I could tell, has been restored and completed in modern times. When we entered the castle, we were literally touching ancient ruins.

We explored the castle grounds and enjoyed the view of Sagunto from above. The coastline is about two and a half kilometers away.

There are exhibits and artifacts from Sagunto on display here and you can even watch a historical film. There are also green areas nearby that are perfect for exploring. After taking another look at the overall scenery, we entered the Roman Theater. From what I understand, concerts can be held here. The seating area is functional and the acoustics are quite impressive.

That’s all I have to share for today. We took this tour of Sagunto’s old town and I hope you found it interesting. Take care and see you next time.