Today we headed east along the coast to the village of Bolonia, which lies on the shore of the Strait of Gibraltar some 20km west of Tarifa and just a 45 mins drive east from Conil de la Frontera.

Playa de Bolonia is some 3.8km long and the beach and bay is very unspoilt by its population of 117 (Wikipedia). However, we weren’t visiting Bolonia beach for a spot of sun-bathing nor a swim in the sea.

Today, we were visiting Baelo Claudia, originally a fishing village and trade link when settlers arrived some 2,000 years ago – Roman settlers.

Although prosperous at the time of Emperor Claudius, it went into a decline which was hastened by earthquakes – finally being abandoned in the 6th century. The ruins of this ancient Roman town, close to the beach at Bolonia, are considered to be the most complete Roman ruins yet uncovered in Spain.

It is possible that Baelo Claudia had some government administration purpose but Tuna fishing, salting and the production of garum were its primary source of wealth.

It is hard to comprehend the construction and the facilities the inhabitants enjoyed, all un-covered at this site, much of it constructed in the century before Jesus Christ.

The layout of the city has the main street (decumanus maximus) running from gate houses East – West alongside the main wall and parallel to the ocean. This is intersected by the cardo maximus which ran North – South. At the intersection of these streets was the Forum, or Main square and around the main square were located many public buildings.

The main building near the square is the Basilica, an administrative centre and the seats of the courts of justice.

The amphitheatre is partially restored and is used for plays and concerts.

We enjoyed lunch at a beachside Tapas bar and cooked a BBQ back at the campsite later in the evening. Really nice sunset today.