Cástulo

About Cástulo

Cástulo was the chief town of the Oretani, an Iberian people, and grew rich on the mines of the Sierra Morena; tradition makes it the home of Himilce, wife of Hannibal. Under Rome it became a municipium with Latin rights, and it was finally abandoned in the 15th century. It was declared an archaeological ensemble in 2012, the year the Mosaic of the Loves was found.

From the reception centre, a two-hour walk takes in the northern wall, the Puerta de los Leones, the small baths, the Olivar quarter with a tavern on the main street, and the building that protects the Mosaic of the Loves. Finds from the site are displayed in the archaeological museum in Linares, visited separately.

Entry is free for EU citizens and €1.50 for others, including UK visitors. Individuals need not book; groups arrange visits by email or phone. In winter it opens Tuesday–Saturday 09:00–18:00 and Sunday 09:00–15:00, in summer 09:00–15:00; closed Mondays. Cars park at the reception centre on the JV-3003, about 6 km south of Linares. Paths are unpaved and uneven; not suitable for wheelchairs.

Spring and autumn are best. In summer there is little shade, so arrive at 09:00 with water and a hat. Add an hour for the Linares museum, and watch the site's social media for summer evening visits and performances.

Cástulo in pictures

What you’ll find

• Archaeological siteRuins visit (09:00–18:00)Ticket
• Car parkParkingFree
• Free entryFree visitFree
• Visitor centreVisitor information (09:00–18:00)Free

Nearby places to visit

Linares, to the north, has the Andrés Segovia Museum (6 km) and the Raphael Museum of Linares (6 km), as well as the archaeological museum with finds from Cástulo. Baeza Cathedral (15 km) and the Palacio de Jabalquinto (15 km) are a short drive east, with Úbeda's St John of the Cross Museum (23 km) and Sacra Capilla del Salvador (23 km) beyond. To the north-west, the caliphal Castillo de Burgalimar (20 km) at Baños de la Encina is one of the oldest castles still standing in Spain.