The Festival of Diana returns to Aroche, Huelva, for its eleventh edition, offering an immersion into the life of ancient Rome at the Arucci Turobriga archaeological site. The event combines archaeology, history, gastronomy, and performances.
The day will begin at the Municipal Archaeological Collection with a sensory tasting of cheeses inspired by the Roman diet, organized by Arqueogastronomía. The proceedings of the XXXVII Heritage Conference of the Sierra Region will also be presented, along with the photographic exhibition 'Arochenos in the early years of the Arucci Turobriga excavation'.
In the afternoon, the archaeological site will be the main stage. The group Musae will present a performance dedicated to Diana, the goddess who gives the festival its name. One of the highlights will be the recreation of gladiatorial games by the association Ulpia Aelia, aiming to provide an accurate portrayal of these combats.
The day will conclude with the Aroche Greco-Latin Classical Theatre Festival, where the company Balbo Teatro will perform the tragedy 'Iphigenia at Aulis' within the ruins of Arucci Turobriga, seeking an immersive experience.
The mayor of Aroche, Cristina Romero Sancha, has emphasized that the festival highlights the municipality's heritage and positions it as a driver for tourism and economic development.
Access to the cheese tasting and the afternoon activities at the archaeological site is limited. Tickets can be purchased at the Aroche Tourist Office or reserved by calling 859 993 038.
Arucci Turobriga, founded between 15 and 10 BC, is an example of Roman urbanism in ancient Hispania. Despite the reuse of materials over centuries, it retains the layout of key buildings such as the forum, market, and thermal baths, making it an important archaeological reference in Huelva.
The Municipal Archaeological Collection of Aroche displays findings from excavations, including pottery, utensils, Roman inscriptions, and a hoard of 376 silver denarii.
