Trespuentes

Following the tracks of Romanisation in Álava is an easy task, as there are abundant remains from Roman times.

In the area of S. Adrián, a natural landscape between Álava and Gipuzkoa, you can walk along what was the busiest Roman road in its day.

The Romans' advanced culture can be appreciated at the Roman Town of Iruña-Veleia (Trespuentes), an important walled settlement which is accessed by an extraordinary bridge with thirteen arches.

Mantible Bridge (Assa)

At the Archaeology Museum (Vitoria-Gasteiz) you can see the best pieces found on the site, and there is a permanent exhibition at the site itself.

Important ROMAN BRIDGES include Puente Mantible (Assa), which originally had 6 arches and a length of 164 m and Víllodas, amongst others.

One curious site is the Romanesque Chapel of Elizmendi, in Contrasta, which was partly built with Roman gravestones.