Bolonia in Andalusia: Dune, Beach and Baelo Claudia

The Duna de Bolonia is a transgressive sand dune more than 30 metres high that continues to move inland and is advancing towards an ecologically valuable pine forest covered with pine trees and shrubs.

Nature and Coast

Playa de Bolonia in Tarifa is a white-sand beach in a particularly scenic natural coastal setting. The strong winds make it suitable for windsurfing. The hiking trail to the Duna de Bolonia passes the Baelo Claudia archaeological complex and runs along coastal lagoons typical of the beaches of Tarifa, whose birdlife is significant. The trail is 2.5 kilometres long as a round trip, has a low level of difficulty and leads from the Ensenada de Bolonia to the Duna de Bolonia.

Hiking Trails

The Bolonia–Faro Camarinal hiking trail is 4 kilometres long, has a low level of difficulty and takes about two hours as a round trip. It passes through pine and eucalyptus forests over stabilised sands and clay soils. The route ends at Faro Camarinal and offers views of the Strait of Gibraltar and the coasts of Tarifa and Zahara de los Atunes. From Faro Camarinal, a broad view of the Strait of Gibraltar and the African continent opens up over a pine forest.

Faro Camarinal is another name for the protected Torre del Cabo de Enmedio, which is protected as a B.I.C. The Colada de la Reginosa begins on the outskirts of El Lentiscal in Bolonia and ends in the town of Paloma Baja; it is 6.6 kilometres long and has a low level of difficulty. It passes through pine and juniper forests with stands of coastal juniper of high botanical value. In the final section, the remains of a Roman aqueduct can be reached.

The Ruta del Estrecho begins in El Lentiscal next to the beach car park. It is an easy cycling route that begins at Bolonia Beach via the Colada de la Reginosa.

Culture and History

Baelo Claudia was a Roman city founded in the 2nd century BC on the Ensenada de Bolonia and is considered the most complete Roman urban complex on the Iberian Peninsula. Its economic prosperity was linked to the fish-processing industry and the production of garum.

The Factorías de salazón are located in the southern quarter of Baelo Claudia, within the city walls and near the beach. The Factorías de salazón contain numerous vats or salting tanks in which fish was preserved in salt. The Teatro de Baelo Claudia was built in the 1st century AD, around the year 60 AD, and was used for theatrical performances.

The basilica of Baelo Claudia was the most monumental building in the forum and served primarily as a courthouse. The Mercado (Macellum) of Baelo Claudia had a symmetrical octagonal courtyard with ten shops separated by pillars. The forum of Baelo Claudia is one of the best-preserved areas on the Iberian Peninsula. Approximately 90 per cent of the Decumanus Maximus of Baelo Claudia has been excavated.

The Temple of Isis at Baelo Claudia is the best-preserved temple of its kind in Hispania. The Museo de Baelo Claudia presents a new view of the Roman city in its permanent exhibition, adapted to the latest scientific discoveries. The houses of the Domus del Oeste are among the most completely preserved residential remains in Baelo Claudia. The Termas urbanas of Baelo Claudia preserve a hypocaust, a Roman heating system.

Further Orientation

The Cueva del Moro lies on a natural barrier enclosing the Ensenada de Bolonia.

Other places: Benalup Casas Viejas, Jimena De La Frontera, Castellar De La Frontera, Estella del Marqués, Solete Alto, Pozo Amargo, Chiclana De La Frontera, Vejer De La Frontera

To the overarching travel overview: Cadiz.