Blanda, Archaeological site in Tortora, Italy
Blanda is an ancient settlement in Calabria with ruins from Roman times scattered across several hectares. The excavations reveal streets laid out in a grid pattern, remains of a marketplace, a large public building, and several temples.
The settlement began as a community founded by early peoples in the 6th century BCE and later became a Roman city. It played a role during the conflicts between Rome and Hannibal in ancient times.
The site reflects how different peoples shaped the community through their building traditions and daily practices. You can observe this layering of cultures in the foundation stones and wall patterns that remain today.
The site is mostly open and easy to walk through, with streets and foundations clearly visible on the ground. Bring sturdy shoes and sun protection, as there is little shade in the excavation areas.
Beneath the surface lie underground water channels and cisterns that once supplied the city and remain preserved under modern roads. These hidden systems reveal how carefully the Romans engineered their water supply network.
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