Sagunto
Sagunto (Valencian: Sagunt) is a city of 66,000 people (2018) in Valencia (province). It is best known for the remains of the ancient Iberian and Roman city of Saguntum, which played a significant part in the Second Punic War between the Carthaginians and the Romans.
Understand
[edit]
Modern Sagunto is divided into two sections: the modern port with good beaches, and the historic centre, near the original Iberian hilltop fortifications.
The original town was established in the 5th century BCE by the Celtiberians, and eventually developed strong trade relations with nearby Greek and Phoenician colonies. In 219 BCE the city sided with the Roman Empire against the Carthaginians and was subjected to the eight-month 'Siege of Saguntum', resulting in Hannibal's capture of the town and becoming Rome's casus belli for the Second Punic War. Later the city fell under Roman, then Visigothic, and later Moorish control before finally being conquered by Jaime I of Aragon in the early 13th century. Modern visitors can appreciate remains from each of these periods.
In the early 20th century the port area saw a large population growth due to manufacturing and the steel industry. For visitors the draw here is the excellent beaches.
- 1 Tourist Info Sagunto, Plaza Cronista Chabret s/n, ☏ +34 962 655 859, sagunto@touristinfo.net. Sep-Jun M-F 09:00-14:30 16:00-18:30, Sa Su 09:00-14:00; Jul-Aug M 10:00-14:30 16:30-19:30, Tu-F 09:00-14:30 16:00-19:30, Sa 09:00-14:00 16:00-18:30, Su 10:00-14:00. Offers a range of brochures and maps. For visitors with smartphones, there is a very helpful official multi-lingual app (iOS and Android) which gives detailed information on all tourist sights as well as restaurants and hotels.
- 2 Tourist Info Puerto de Sagunto, Av Mediterráneo, 67 (by the beach), ☏ +34 962 690 402, saguntoplaya@touristinfo.net. Sep-Jun M-F 09:00-14:30 16:00-18:30, Sa Su 09:00-14:00; Jul-Aug M 10:00-14:30 16:30-19:30, M-F 09:30-14:00 17:30-20:30, Sa 10:30-14:00 16:00-18:30, Su 10:00-14:00.
Get in
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- 1 Estación de Tren de Sagunto (Sagunto Train Station), C/ Vía Férrea, s/n, ☏ +34 902 240 505 (reservations). Long-distance trains connect Sagunto with Barcelona and Valencia. Medium-distance trains connect the city with Valencia, Alicante, Castellón, Segorbe, and Teruel.
From Valencia, Renfe regional train line C6 depart every ½ hour from Estació de València Nord; a round-trip ticket costs €4.70 and the journey lasts about 30 minutes.
Get around
[edit]By foot
[edit]The easiest way to get around the historic centre of the city is by foot.
By bus
[edit]AVSA operates three bus routes in Sagunto. Line 1 traverses the historic centre, Line 2 covers the port area, and Line 102, possibly the most useful for travellers, connects the historic centre with the port area and its beaches. A single journey costs €1.45 (no transfers); timetables (in Spanish) can be viewed here[dead link], and detailed route maps can be viewed here.
By taxi
[edit]A taxi stand is located in front of the train station.
See
[edit]Historic centre
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- 1 Castell de Sagunt (Castillo de Sagunto / Castle of Sagunto). Winter: Tu-Sa 10:00-18:00, Su 10:00-14:00; Summer: Tu-Sa 10:00-20:00, Su 10:00-14:00; closed 25 Dec and 1 Jan. This large hilltop fortification was established by the Iberians, who famously managed to hold back Carthaginian forces for eight months during the Siege of Saguntum at the beginning of the second Punic War. The fortress was later expanded by the Romans, Visigoths, and Moors, and was last used by French forces during the French occupation at the beginning of the 19th century. It stretches over 1 km along the top of a large hill, and is divided into seven separate precincts. Good views of the town below and of the sea can be had from multiple viewpoints along the outer walls. Free.
- 2 Teatre Romà (Teatro Romano / Roman Theatre). Winter: Tu-Sa 10:00-18:00, Su 10:00-14:00; Summer: Tu-Sa 10:00-20:00, Su 10:00-14:00; closed 25 Dec and 1 Jan. Built in the 1st century BCE and carved out of the side of the mountain, this Roman theatre can seat 8000 people. Its restoration has not been without controversy, but it is still used during festivals. Free.
- Jueria (La Judería / Jewish Quarter). This was the Jewish quarter until the expulsion of the Jews from Spain in 1492. Although the synagogue is no longer standing, the streets have been practically unaltered since medieval times. The main entrance through an archway known as the 3 Portalet de la Sang, with other smaller arches demarcating the other entrances. The quarter includes the streets Antigons, Rams (Ramos), Segovia, Vella Sang (Sangre Vieja, the synagogue's former location), Teatre Romà (Teatro Romano), and Pere Cartagena (Pedro Cartagena).
- 4 Museu Històric de Sagunt (MUHSAG) (Museo Histórico de Sagunto / History Museum of Sagunto), C/ Castell, 23, ☏ +34 962 617 267, fax: +34 962 617 266, museosagunto@gva.es. Winter: Tu-Sa 10:00-18:00, Su 10:00-14:00; Summer: Tu-Sa 10:00-20:00, Su 10:00-14:00; closed 25 Dec and 1 Jan. This 14th-century house is now a museum with Iberian and Roman archaeological artifacts, all excavated in Sagunto. Free.
- 5 Temple de Diana (Templo de Diana / Temple of Diana), C/ Sagrari, s/n. Dating from the 5th and 4th centuries BCE, these remains are of the only building that survived Hannibal's siege of Saguntum. Free.
- 6 Vía del Pòrtic (Vía del Pórtico), Plaça Antiga Moreria, 9. Guided visits: winter Tu-Sa 10:00 11:15 12:30 16:00 17:15; summer Tu-Sa 10:00 11:15 12:30 16:00 17:15 18:30. Located beneath a residential building, these Roman remains date from the 1st to the 5th centuries CE, and include a road with sidewalks, sewage network. Free.
- 7 Fundació Bancaixa, Plaça del Cronista Chabret, 6. During exhibits: Tu-Sa 17:00-21:00. The cultural centre hosts temporary exhibits of conteporary art and photography by Valencian and Spanish artists.
Port area
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- 8 Torre del Grau Vell (Tower of Grau Vell). Grau Vell is a small village located just south of the modern port, on the site of the original ancient Iberian and Roman port; a number of ancient shipwrecks have been discovered just offshore here. For visitors the most interesting structure is a small 16th-century fortress, part of a network of coastal forts and towers built to defend against Barbary pirates.
Do
[edit]Birdwatching
[edit]- 1 Marjal dels Moros (Marjal del Moros) (near Grau Vell). Literally 'Moor's Marsh', this protected wetland area is especially good for bird watching, and is critical habitat for several endangered species. There are a number of wooden walkways and bridges, allowing for closer observation. Free.
Beaches
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Sagunto has 13km of excellent beaches, including 2 Platja del Port (Playa del Puerto), 3 Platja d'Almardà (Playa de L'Almardá), 4 Platja de Corint (Playa Corinto), and 5 Platja de la Malvarosa (Playa Malvarrosa). Between 15 June and 15 September all beaches maintain lifeguard stations, first aid stations, showers, and public toilets. Platja del Port, being closest to the city, has the most facilities but is also the most crowded; Platja de la Malvarosa, being the furthest, is the least developed and also has a nudist section.
Festivals
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- Falles (Fallas), in the old town and the port district. 12-19 March. Like its larger neighbour Valencia, Sagunto celebrates Falles with the cridà (opening call of the festivities), the plantà (assembly of the satirical falla monuments to be eventually burnt), l'Ofrena (offering of flowers to the Virgen de los Desamparados), the mascletà (gunpowder demonstrations), fireworks, and finally the cremà (burning of the fallas).
- Semana Santa (Holy Week). Week before Easter Sunday. The tradition of fraternities and processions of penitents in Sagunto goes back five centuries, and has been designated a 'Fiesta of National Touristic Interest' by the Spanish government.
Buy
[edit]- 1 Mercadillo de Sagunto (Sagunto street market), Plaça del Cronista Chabret and Carrer Horts (in the old town). W morning. A general street market, good for picking up fresh produce and various odds and ends.
- 2 Mercadillo de Puerto de Sagunto (Sagunto Port street market), Plaça del Sol (in the port area). Th and Sa morning. Another street market.
Eat
[edit]- 1 [dead link] Restaurant Palau del Duc, Carrer Castell, 18 (Jueria), ☏ +34 962 651 489, palaudelduc@telefonica.net. M-Th 13:30-16:30; F Sa 13:30-16:00, 20:30-23:30; closed from 2-18 Nov. Located in a former medieval palace, this is probably the most well-known restaurant in Sagunto and serves contemporary Valencian cuisine. Reservations can be made online [dead link]. Tapas €4-6, mains €13-23, set menu €35.
- 2 [dead link] L'Armeler, Carrer Castell, 44 (Jueria), ☏ +34 962 664 382. M-W 13:30-16:00, Th-Sa 13:30-16:00 21:00-23:30. An established French restaurant, with cozy ambiance and friendly service. Set menu €20.
Drink
[edit]Sleep
[edit]Camping
[edit]- 1 Camping Malvarrosa de Corinto, Carrer del Cigne, s/n (Platja Almarda), ☏ +34 962 608 906, camalva@live.com. Check-in: 09:00-21:00, check-out: 12:00. Has spaces for tents, campervans, and caravans, as well as apartments. Facilities include shared toilets and showers, beach bar, fitness centre, and supermarket. Prepaid Wi-Fi available. Pets are permitted for €2.90/night. Open year-round, prices vary by season.
Hotels
[edit]- 2 Hotel Azahar, Av del País Valencià, 8 (near the train station), ☏ +34 962 663 368, hotelazahar@msn.com. Check-in: 14:00-22:00, check-out: 07:00-12:00. Nonsmoking throughout, has free Wi-Fi. Doubles €44.
- 3 Hotel l'Estacio, Av. del País Valencià, 14 (near the train station), ☏ +34 960 091 177, info@hotellestacio.com. Check-in: 15:00-, check-out: 07:00-12:00. Has free Wi-Fi. Doubles €49-56.
- 4 Hotel NH Puerta de Sagunto, Avda Ojos Negros, 55 (Ingruinsa Business Park, Port de Sagunt), ☏ +34 962 698 384, nhpuertodesagunto@nh-hotels.com. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Has an outdoor pool and garden, fitness centre, and onsite bar/restaurant. Free Wi-Fi, parking €6.50/day From €50 including breakfast.
- 5 Sensity Vent de Mar, Carrer Illa de Còrsega, 61 (Port de Sagunt), ☏ +34 962 698 084, fax: +34 962 670 535, info@hotelventdemar.com. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. Rooms on the upper floors have terraces and/or sea views. Free Wi-Fi, bicycle rental and luggage storage available. €36-57 doubles, €12 breakfast; parking €6.50/day.
- 6 Sweet Hotel Els Arenals, C/ Felisa Longás, 1 (Playa Almardá, Port de Sagunt), ☏ +34 962 608 067. Check-in: 16:00-23:00, check-out: 07:00-12:00. This modern and well-equipped hotel is located on one of the best beaches in Sagunto. Has non-smoking rooms, free Wi-Fi, and luggage storage. From €68 doubles, €7 breakfast, free parking.