Caesaraugusta

Caesaraugusta is a Roman colony in Hispania Tarraconensis, Spain that stretched along the riverbank with rectangular streets lined by stone arcades and public buildings. The city walls enclosed an area with a central meeting square, temples, shops, and a port area for river trade.

The settlement arose in 14 BCE as a veteran colony for soldiers from three Roman legions who served under Augustus in the Cantabrian Wars. The city received fortifications and infrastructure that made it an important administrative center until the third century.

The name honors Emperor Augustus and merged with Moorish influences into the modern name Zaragoza, evolving gradually over centuries. The visible remains show residential quarters with elaborate mosaic floors and wall paintings that reflect daily life of wealthy Roman families.

The museums lie in the historic center within walking distance of each other and show different sections of the ancient city. The underground excavations are lit and offer display panels in several languages.

The original city plan remains partly visible under modern streets where some intersections follow the old Roman axes. Archaeologists discovered lead pipes with inscriptions naming local craftsmen and showing how the water system was organized.