Augusteum
Roman site in Cartagena with the temple and collegiate seat of the cult of the emperor Augustus, preserved in the basement of a car park.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Cartagena, the ancient Carthago Nova, was granted the rank of Roman colony probably in 54 BC, and its urban layout was reinforced in the time of Augustus. Religious, civic and administrative buildings were erected around the forum, among them the Augusteum, the collegiate seat where the emperor Augustus was worshipped. It remained in use until the 3rd century, when it was abandoned and, like other buildings of the forum, ended up being used as a quarry.
The site was discovered between 1991 and 1992, when the plot on Calle Caballero was excavated to build a car park. The excavations, directed by the archaeologist Luis de Miquel, uncovered a portico and the seat of the Augustales, and it was decided to preserve them in the basement of the new building. The museum project, by the architects Nicolás Maruri, Atxu Amann and Andrés Cánovas, opened in 2002, and since 2003 it has been managed by Cartagena Puerto de Culturas.
The complex had a colonnaded entrance courtyard, a central hall with the image of the emperor, two nymphaea, two rooms for worship and two independent shops. Its decoration stands out, with floors and walls clad in marbles brought from different quarries across the empire, and a set of terracotta antefixes with theatre masks and the winged victory flanked by capricorns. The visit begins with a space devoted to the forum and ends in front of the remains of a double-aisled portico and a stretch of the wall that Philip II had built in the 16th century.
Highlights
- Collegiate seat of the imperial cult of Augustus, dating from the 1st century AD
- Floors and wall linings of marble from different quarries across the empire
- Terracotta antefixes with theatre masks and winged victories
- Remains of a double-aisled portico and of Philip II's city wall
- Introductory space on the forum of Carthago Nova
Permanent exhibition
- Yacimiento arqueológico del Augusteum – Route through the remains of the temple and seat of the Augustales, with an introductory space on the forum of the Roman city.
- Founded
- 2002
- Operated by
- Cartagena Puerto de Culturas
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €4 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €3Children under 12, students up to 25 years, Carné Joven and Carné Joven +, unemployed people, pensioners and seniors, people with disabilities, families (2 or more adults with 2 or more children under 12), large families and groups of 20 or more people |
| Children & teens | €3free up to age 2 · Reduced rate for children under 12; free for children under 3. |
| Seniors | €3Reduced rate for pensioners and seniors. |
| Visitors with disabilities | €3Reduced rate with official disability accreditation at the ticket office. |
| Students & apprentices | €3Reduced rate up to age 25. |
| Groups (20+ people) | €3 per personReduced rate for groups of 20 or more people. |
| Families | €3Reduced rate for families of 2 or more adults with 2 or more children under 12, and for large families. |
Free admission: Viernes de Dolores (local holiday)
Free admission for children under 3, official tour guides and members of the Club Cartagena Puerto de Culturas (except for activities). During temporary exhibitions or special activities, prices may change.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: not available
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
Not accessible for people with reduced mobility. It has an accessible toilet and an audiovisual with Spanish voice-over; accredited guide dogs are allowed access.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Amenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 30 min |
|---|---|
| Good to know | The guided tour (30 minutes, in Spanish) is included with admission and departs at 11:00 and 13:00 in all seasons; for other languages, availability must be checked on 968 500 093. Leaflets are available in Spanish, English, French and German. |
