The museum of the Baelo Claudia Archaeological Site in Bolonia has reopened after a complete refurbishment and the renewal of its exhibition narrative. The Regional Government of Andalusia has invested approximately 1.3 million euros in these works, aimed at improving the building's conservation and the visitor experience.
The renovations focused on halting the deterioration of the building, designed by architect Guillermo Vázquez Consuegra, ensuring its waterproofing, significantly increasing its energy efficiency and thermal insulation, and enhancing visitor safety and the protection of its valuable archaeological collections. Javier Ros, the sub-delegate of the Regional Government in Campo de Gibraltar, emphasized that Baelo Claudia is one of the finest examples of Roman urbanism and that periodic updates to the exhibits are planned.
Among the new additions to the exhibition are the Doríforo of Baelo Claudia, a piece testifying to the spread of classical aesthetic ideals in Roman Hispania, and the original statue of Junia Rufina, representing the significant role of certain local elite women during the Roman High Empire. Tania Barcelona, the territorial delegate for Culture, highlighted the flexibility, accessibility, and sustainability of the new museography.
The temporary exhibition hall hosts 'Baelo Claudia, a History in Strokes,' by Cádiz illustrator Arturo Redondo, who has recreated the daily life and urbanism of what Baelo Claudia must have been with great detail. The territorial delegate noted that this exhibition serves as a valuable educational tool for understanding life in Baelo.
The new museum configuration, featuring modular exhibition furniture, will allow for the rapid display of recently excavated artifacts and offers a more integrated reading of the city's history, connecting its urban evolution, daily life, economy, religion, and art. New lighting systems and improved visitor circulation have also been implemented.
The mayor of Tarifa, José Santos, thanked the Regional Government for its commitment to the city and its historical heritage, recognizing Baelo Claudia as one of its major tourist attractions.
