A new archaeological site beneath the Carmen Thyssen Museum
The new Roman Villa archaeological site in Málaga Centre officially opens to the public on March 3rd, revealing a 5th-century Roman villa located beneath the current Carmen Thyssen Museum.
This archaeological space, managed by the Málaga City Council in collaboration with the museum, offers visitors the opportunity to discover an important part of ancient Malaka in the very heart of the city’s historic centre.
For years, the site underwent a complex process of excavation and conservation. Today it is presented as a guided visit where visitors can observe garum salting vats, industrial structures and evidence of the Mediterranean trade that once connected Málaga with other territories of the Roman Empire.
In addition, the experience includes Virtual Reality headsets.
These recreations help visitors understand how the villa looked at different stages of its evolution.
A Roman villa beneath the Carmen Thyssen Museum
The first excavations began around 2005. During the renovation works of the building, archaeological remains were discovered that today form part of the visitor route.
Since then, the work has been continuous: documenting, studying and preserving a Roman villa that remained hidden for centuries beneath the current Carmen Thyssen Museum.
The technical challenge has been significant. Integrating the archaeological site beneath an already existing building required complex solutions, particularly due to the underground conditions of Málaga’s historic centre.
During the excavation, difficulties arose due to the water table and underground water currents that run through this part of the city. Even today, this presence can still be noticed in the humidity of the space.
Thanks to a careful process of museum adaptation, visitors can walk through the site using elevated walkways that allow them to observe the original structures without compromising their preservation.
The garum production site in ancient Malaka
Archaeological studies indicate that this Roman villa had an important industrial function related to the production of garum, the famous sauce made from crushed fish, herbs and olive oil. This product was highly valued throughout the Roman Empire.
At the site, visitors can observe the salting vats where the maceration and preservation process took place before the product was stored in amphorae for maritime transport. During the excavations, an amphora was discovered in excellent condition, providing direct evidence of the city’s intense commercial activity.
This production did not only supply the local population. It was also part of a much broader trade network that connected ancient Malaka with other territories across the Mediterranean. In this way, Málaga became a strategic hub in the south of the Iberian Peninsula.
Coins and trade in the Roman Mediterranean
One of the most revealing discoveries at the site has been the appearance of coins originating from different territories of the Roman Empire. These pieces confirm that the villa was not an isolated place, but an active part of a trade network that connected ancient Malaka with other points across the Mediterranean.
The presence of foreign coins reinforces the idea that products such as garum, wine and olive oil were exported from this location to regions such as present-day Italy, southern France or Asia Minor. Málaga was not a secondary port, but a strategic hub in the trade network of the southern Iberian Peninsula.
Was there a necropolis beneath this area of the city centre?
In one of the areas adjacent to the building, several rectangular tombs containing human remains were discovered. This finding has led researchers to suggest the possible existence of a necropolis in this part of the historic city centre.
This discovery adds a new dimension to the site, showing that the area was not only used for industrial purposes, but also had a funerary function at certain moments in its history.
The proximity to the current Church of Santo Cristo de la Salud reinforces this hypothesis, as historically religious buildings have often been constructed over earlier burial sites. As in many cities with centuries of history, Málaga’s underground continues to reveal layers that help us better understand the city’s urban evolution.
A visit with Virtual Reality in Málaga
One of the most innovative elements of the visit is the use of RealVirtual ity headsets, which allow visitors to visualize how the Roman villa looked at different stages of its evolution. This recreation helps to better understand the layout of the spaces and the industrial activity that once took place there.
Thanks to this immersive experience, visitors do not only observe archaeological remains, but can also interpret the site from a much more complete and educational perspective.
How to Visit the Roman Villa Archaeological Site in Málaga City Centre
Visits to the archaeological site are organised in small groups of up to 20 people, whith a specialised museum guide. Tours are mainly conducted in Spanish, although English can also be arranged for groups upon prior request.
Access to the site is through the Carmen Thyssen Museum, and visitors must have both the museum entrance ticket and a specific ticket for the archaeological site. In addition, on certain dates, free visits will be organised for residents of the city.
We believe this is an essential visit for those who want to understand the history of Málaga beyond its façades. It is a journey that connects past and present in the heart of the historic centre and one that we will certainly begin recommending to our travellers.
To further explore Roman Málaga, it is also worth visiting the Villa Antiopa in Rincón de la Victoria, where important mosaics and evidence of maritime trade during Roman times have been preserved, offering a broader perspective on the role of ancient Malaka in the Mediterranean.
Many of these historic places are also part of the routes we offer in our electric car tours around Málaga, a different and sustainable way to discover the city’s heritage while exploring its streets.
