Complutum

Complutum is a Roman archaeological site in Alcalá de Henares with 50 hectares (120 acres) of preserved streets, public buildings, and residences laid out in a grid pattern. The forum at the center where main streets intersect contains a basilica, temples, and surrounding colonnades that formed the heart of the settlement.

Emperor Vespasian granted the settlement city status in 74 AD, making it the administrative center for the region of present-day Madrid and Guadalajara. This elevation brought prosperity and growth, establishing it as an important hub within the Roman empire.

The temple within the forum served both as a courthouse and marketplace where residents gathered and conducted business. The columns and carved inscriptions show how central this space was to daily community life.

The archaeological remains lie about one kilometer from the medieval center of Alcalá de Henares, in the southeastern area along Juncal Street. The site is easy to reach on foot and offers marked pathways and signage to explore different areas of the ancient city.

The House of the Griffins preserves first-century wall paintings displaying artistic techniques from the age of Emperor Hadrian. These frescoes are among the finest surviving examples of their kind and reveal the high craftsmanship of the period.