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It was one of the most important Roman cities in Roman Hispania and now, in August, the Burgos town of Peñalba de Castro revives that time by transporting its visitors 20 centuries ago thanks to its summer festival Clunia Cultural. Its XVI edition is celebrated from August 11 to 19 with dramatized tours, children's archeology workshops, concerts, a summer course in collaboration with the University of Burgos and 12 shows in nearby towns.

The epicenter of the activities is the Roman theater of Clunia, "living witness of the greatness of the Roman Empire, a cultural bridge that unites us to the spectators who, 2,000 years ago, already sat under this sky to enjoy scenic proposals", as Miguel Ángel Vieira, artistic director of the Clunia Summer Festival, who has underlined the solidity and variety of the theatrical offer of this edition.

View of the scenery of this Burgos jewel.

The highlight is his works in the light of the stars in the ancient Roman theater, where you can enjoy representations such as The Odyssey of Magellanand Elcano, a staging of the adventure of the first circumnavigation that celebrated its fifth centenary last year. A feat worthy of Ulysses awarded with several Lorca awards, including the best cast. The miser, the satire of the great master Molière, in the key of a musical, whose staging received the Award for Best Theater Show on Stages of Seville 2022, will also be climbed to the tables.

Homage to the classics

For its part, Desconcerto is a theatrical concert that, combined with music, humor and gestural theater, will perform classics such as Mozart or Vivaldi. Thetomb of Antigone, in turn, is a reinterpretation signed by María Zambrano of the classic by Sophocles that combines theater and philosophy through theatrical dance. Miles gloriosus would be missing, with Carlos Sobera and Elisa Matilla as protagonists.

Starlight rendering last summer.

It is expected to achieve the success of the last edition, when the tickets were sold out. In this sense, Ramiro Ibáñez, 1st vice president of the Provincial Council of Burgos, believes that the festival is an opportunity "to know nationally one of the main archaeological wonders of our country and an indisputable attraction of the province of Burgos". Just two hours from cities like Madrid or Valladolid, it is a perfect excuse to discover this jewel on a getaway. Not surprisingly, it has nothing to envy to those of other more famous Roman cities such as Mérida, with its corresponding summer festival as well.

The ancient Clunia, which had the status of Roman municipality since the first century, was the administrative capital of northern Iberia. Located in the town of Peñalba de Castro, its theater had capacity for about 10,000 spectators. Its restoration has been awarded on several occasions, with other treasures.

Scene from 'The Imaginary Patient' in 2022.

The archaeological site also has other treasures such as the foro, the soul of theancient Roman city for its political, economic, legal and religious functions, located in the highest area of the high plateau of the Alto del Castro hill. Also, visitors can visit the necropolis, located in the limits of the city and where a large funerary monument known as El Torreón is still preserved. The baths, the basilica and the acropolis are also part of the site and show visitors what the urban organization of yesteryear was like.

Archaeological workshops

In addition to the attraction of the theatrical program and the archaeological wealth, Clunia Cultural offers different options such as dramatized visits that allow you to discover the city by the hand of a group of actors. The little ones also have three archaeological workshops: mosaic, excavation and making Roman toys.

Panoramic view of the archaeological wonder.

On the other hand, those who want to immerse themselves completely in the Burgos landscape can visit the villages near Clunia to enjoy the 12 free shows under the premise Clunia near you. Music, theater and circus arts will animate the streets of towns full of charm such as Peñalba de Castro, Caleruega and Coruña del Conde, among others.

Likewise, those interested in deepening their knowledge in Archaeology or History, as well as students of these disciplines, have the opportunity to attend the V Edition of the Clunia Summer Courses, taught by the University of Burgos at the Roman site.

View of the Burgos amphitheater.

Finally, Clunia is surrounded by several medieval villages that are unavoidable to complete the cultural experience and enjoy the beauty of the region. Less than 50 kilometers to the north are Covarrubias and Santo Domingo de Silos. The former is known for its cobbled streets, half-timbered houses and the Collegiate Church of San Cosme and San Damiano. The second is famous for its Benedictine monastery, which houses an impressive Romanesque church and a medieval cloister.

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  • Tourism
  • Burgos
  • theatre
  • Summer
  • Castile and Leon

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