Medellín - Roman theatre

Today, Medellin is a city with around 2000 inhabitants. Roman Metellinum was founded by the consul Quintus Caecilius Metellus Pius around 79 BC. In honour of its founder it received its first name, Metellinum.

The Visigoths (around 570-768) and the Moors (768-1234) have also left their mark.

Medellín is the birthplace of Hernán Cortés (1485-1547), the conquistador of the Aztec empire. One of Cortés' comrades-in-arms, Gonzalo de Sandoval (1497-1527), was also born in Medellín.

There are various remains from the Roman period here.

The Roman theatre is located on the southern slope of Cerro del Castillo. The architectural study of this theatre shows that it must have had a maximum capacity of around 3,200 spectators.

The archaeological interventions have brought to light details of the structure of its seating and stage, also recovering a large number of decorative elements.

Seen above the theatre is the Medellín Castle is a 13th- century fortress