Complutum

Complutum is the Roman name for the site of Alcalá de Henares, located in the central part of Spain near Madrid. It was established in the late Republic era and grew into an important urban center within Roman Hispania, benefiting from its position along regional trade routes.

The city features a typical Roman urban plan with a grid layout, public buildings such as a forum, baths, and a basilica, and residential architecture including houses with mosaic floors. The site has yielded a significant collection of mosaics and artifacts that illustrate daily life, religion, and commerce in Roman Hispania.

Excavations began in the 19th century and intensified in the 20th and 21st centuries, revealing substantial portions of the street system and public buildings. The remains provide important information about the Roman provincial administration and urban development.

In Late Antiquity and the early medieval period, Complutum declined, and the site was gradually abandoned as Alcalá de Henares grew around the new settlement. Today the archaeological complex is a focus of research and is partially accessible to visitors, with fragments preserved in museums and on-site displays.