Here's some local kids doing their downhill mountain bike in the same town Ubrique, Spain

Ancient Roman Forum Unearthed in Spain

A Spanish Farmer Long Believed a Roman Forum Once Stood on His Land. He’s Now Proven Right

Researchers have identified the Roman ruins in Ubrique as a large venue for public gathering.

In the late 1700s, Juan Vegazo, a farmer and amateur historian in Ubrique, in the southern Spanish province of Cadiz, had a grand theory: buried within the rock and dirt of a nearby hill lay the remains of an ancient Roman forum.

News from the excavations at Pompeii was reviving interest in Roman culture across Europe and inspired Vegazo to buy up the limestone hills and begin excavating. He uncovered inscriptions related to second century emperors, a name for the city, Ocuri, and laid the foundations for future archaeologists to uncover defensive walls, baths, and a mausoleum.

Still, Vegazo’s vision of the past remained incomplete. Until now. More than 300 years on, Vegazo has been vindicated by a team of archaeologists from the University of Granada. In coordination with the town of Ubrique, researchers have uncovered architectural elements in Ocuri that point to a large, public forum that would have served as place of gathering, socializing, and speechmaking. The finding infers that Ocuri was larger and more significant than previously believed.

Key to the discovery is a 50-foot-long wall that is believed to have enclosed the Roman forum as well as architectural elements of large and public buildings. Among these buildings is a large ceremonial site, as offered by the discovery of a monumental altar, column shafts and bases, and statue pedestals. Researchers believe the site supported religious practices related to water that mixed Roman and local customs.

“The excavations outline a space that is crucial for understanding the arrival and consolidation of the Romans in the southern Iberian Peninsula, as well as their hybridization with the communities that had already settled in the area,” the University of Granada’s Department of Prehistory and Archaeology said in a statement.

With its strategic hilltop position, it’s long been believed that a settlement pre-dated the Romans with researchers suggesting the absorption was both physical and cultural. Researchers now believe the site was inhabited until the end of the 4th century C.E. based on coins that were discovered—in particular, one marked with a Christogram, which is among the earliest forms of Christian iconography and was deployed by Constantine I in 312 C.E.

This continued presence in the southern reaches of Hispania, as the territory was known following its annexation in 19 C.E., was partly due to the trade advantages it offered, as it connected the coast to the interior parts of the province. Along with showing Ocuri’s size, the discovery of North African goods, including ceramics, suggests a strong and enduring (through the late 3rd century at least) economic links across the peninsula.

Aside from Roman discoveries, researchers also found evidence of medieval defensive structures.

By Richard Whiddington.

Hoy haremos un viaje fascinante a través de los secretos mejor guardados de la producción de cuero. En esta travesía, veremos por qué el cuero de Ubrique se ha convertido en un tesoro apreciado a nivel mundial y la elección predilecta para aquellos que buscan artículos de cuero de alta calidad. Veremos por qué la fabricación de carteras de cuero de Ubrique es tan buscada por los principales mercados del mundo.

Ubrique: Cuna de la marroquinería española

1. Un legado de maestría artesanal

Ubrique, un encantador pueblo en la serranía de Cádiz, se destaca como el epicentro de la marroquinería española. Conoce cómo la maestría artesanal transmitida de generación en generación ha convertido a Ubrique en sinónimo de calidad y perfección en la fabricación de artículos de cuero.

2. Tradición que trasciende fronteras

La tradición marroquinera de Ubrique no conoce límites geográficos. Explora cómo esta pequeña localidad ha dejado una huella indeleble en la industria global de la moda y la marroquinería, siendo reconocida por sus productos de cuero de alta gama.

Calidad que eleva estándares: Artesanía que deleita los sentidos

Descubre por qué el cuero de Ubrique es considerado una obra de arte. Desde su suavidad hasta su aroma distintivo, cada pieza elaborada en Ubrique refleja una atención meticulosa a los detalles y una dedicación inigualable.

Reconocimiento internacional

Los productos de cuero de Ubrique han conquistado el escenario internacional. Explora cómo las marcas de renombre eligen el cuero ubriqueño para sus colecciones, otorgando prestigio a esta pequeña localidad española.

Fusionando técnicas de tradición con diseño contemporáneo

Ubrique no solo se aferra a la tradición; también abraza la innovación. Descubre cómo los artesanos locales combinan técnicas centenarias con diseños modernos, ofreciendo productos que capturan la esencia de la elegancia contemporánea.

Personalización a medida

En Ubrique, la personalización es clave. Explora cómo los clientes pueden disfrutar de productos de cuero hechos a medida, permitiendo que cada pieza pueda reflejar la individualidad de su propietario.

El eterno encanto del cuero ubriqueño

El cuero de Ubrique continúa siendo un producto apetecido a nivel mundial, gracias a su rica tradición, calidad insuperable e innovación constante. Si buscas artículos de cuero que encarnen la excelencia y el buen gusto, Ubrique es tu destino indiscutible.