Following a year of extensive fieldwork, which included surveying sites such as the Castillo de Sancti Petri, the Camposoto barracks, and El Cerro, the research into the Temple of Hercules in San Fernando has entered a new stage. The primary goal is to solve one of the great historical enigmas of the region: the exact location of this influential ancient sanctuary.
The project, supported by the San Fernando City Council, not only seeks the precise location of the temple but also aims to foster local pride in the area's rich history. The current phase involves laboratory study of the vast amount of collected data, using scientific methods to interpret information and verify proposed hypotheses.
“"What we are looking for are indications of the settlement patterns of sanctuaries of that era, which is something we know very well."
The fieldwork has benefited from cutting-edge technology, including non-invasive geodetection instruments and drones for precision mapping. These tools have allowed for the analysis of the subsoil across approximately ten hectares without the need for excavations, surveying areas such as the islet of Castillo de Sancti Petri, the interior of the Camposoto barracks, the Cerro de los Mártires Park, and the Gallineras marshes.
To bring the progress closer to the public, a public exhibition has been inaugurated at the Real 63 hall in San Fernando, open until April 30, 2026. Additionally, academic conferences will be held on April 16 and 17, 2026 at the Centro de Congresos Cortes de la Real Isla de León, where experts will present their findings and discuss the historical context of the sanctuary.
