The Palace of Maximian Herculean

The first reports referring to possible remains in the area date back to 1922, when Joaquín María de Navascués, during a railway network renovation, discovered the cryptoporticus—of which he excavated a total of 18 meters of the interior fill—and one of the buildings associated with it, whose pavement was preserved at that time.

Origin and Early Research

The Palace of Maximian Herculeus was commissioned for construction between 296 and 297 AD.

Years later (1955), Samuel de los Santos Gener, after gathering information regarding potential archaeological remains in the area, located a series of structures during urban renovations in the Colonia de la Paz and the former CAMPSA storage facilities.

Rediscovery and Modern Excavations

However, the recent history of the Palace of Maximian Herculeus begins in the spring of 1991, when the works to bury the rail yard for the construction of the new train station uncovered and destroyed much of the site. Following the report, a series of excavation campaigns revealed the monument’s spectacular nature, although this did not halt the continuation of the construction works.

Currently, the preserved remains—one third of the complex—have gone down in history as a dark chapter of Cordoban and Andalusian archaeology, serving as clear evidence of the neglect by responsible authorities and the precarious heritage protection policy in Córdoba.

Interpretation and Function of the Complex

The successive excavation campaigns that have been taking place since 1991 to the present have uncovered a monumental complex of large proportions, built between the late 3rd century AD and early 4th century AD. Interpretations of the monument have ranged from an episcopal center promoted by Hosius to a Late Imperial Palatine Complex, the latter being the one most commonly accepted by the scientific community.

It was commissioned as a palace and headquarters of the tetrarch emperor Maximian Herculeus between 296 and 297 AD, during his pacification campaign through southern Hispania and North Africa. This complex became the official seat of the emperor to ensure more effective control of the Roman West. It was located outside the city walls, about 600 meters from the northwest corner of the walled enclosure, repurposing a suburban villa from the Early Imperial period.

Architectural Description

The palatine complex, four hundred meters long and two hundred meters wide, is organized around a semicircular cryptoporticus, shaped like an exedra with a diameter of 109 meters and an underground gallery. A series of skylights, interspersed among each other, allowed light to enter the interior.

The rest of the buildings cluster around it, accessed through a colonnaded corridor. At the head of the cryptoporticus and on its axial line stood the main building, the central aula, with a basilica-like floor plan crowned by an apse. It was the chosen location for imperial audiences.

To the north of the central aula were the baths, private in nature and reserved for the emperor and his closest associates, of which a large part of the rooms have been excavated and identified.

Secondary Buildings and Trichora

On both sides of the main building, arranged around the semicircular portico, two buildings of similar morphological characteristics were built. The best preserved one, located to the north, retains part of its flooring, made with geometric and vegetal mosaics. Due to their proximity to the central aula, they may have served as audience buildings for high-ranking members of the imperial administration or the court itself.

Likewise, at the northern and southern ends of the cryptoporticus stood two buildings with similar floor plans, the North Trichora and South Trichora, respectively. Their floor plan consists of two parallel walls that define three longitudinal naves, with a polyapsidal external appearance. The north trichora was repurposed in Late Antiquity as a Christian worship center, interpreted as the supposed martyrial basilica of Saint Acisclus.

Later Phases of Occupation

Lastly, the Palace of Maximian Herculeus includes a series of quarters located somewhat farther from the political center of the Palatium, interpreted as the emperor’s private residences.

Much of the complex was reused during the Visigothic period as a Christian worship center, and later, during the Islamic period, its grounds were occupied by one of the northwestern suburbs of Qurtuba.

Visits and Cultural Tourism

If you’re unsure what to do in Córdoba, we recommend visiting Roman Córdoba by booking one of our guided tours. There, we will dedicate a special chapter to the Palace of Maximian Herculeus. Choose to engage in quality tourism with qualified professionals—no doubt about it—ArtenCórdoba is the best option.

Text: Fran Peña.