On October 29, 2023, a collaboration agreement was signed between the University of Córdoba, Pablo de Olavide University in Seville, and the Municipal Urban Planning Management (GMU) to investigate, conserve, and enhance the archaeological site of Cercadilla in Córdoba, Spain. Researchers Rafael Hidalgo and Álvaro Corrales from Pablo de Olavide have commenced scientific investigations aimed at assessing the current state of the site and planning future actions to facilitate its reopening for public visits. The site has been closed since February 2015, after a decade of public access.
Cercadilla is recognized as one of the most unique archaeological sites from the late antique and early medieval periods in Spain, dating from the 3rd century to the Caliphate period (10th-11th centuries). The site was first discovered in 1991 during construction works for the high-speed train line and the new train station, which began on May 20 of that year. The discovery revealed what is considered the 'most imposing' palace of Roman Hispania.
Prior to 1991, the existence of the site was unknown, as it lay beneath the old Cercadilla train station and contemporary structures. Principal investigator Camino Fuertes noted that the palace, linked to imperial power and built between 293 and 305 CE, is significant due to its architectural complexity and historical context related to the tetrarchy of Roman governance.
The Andalusian Institute of Historical Heritage (IAPH) emphasizes the architectural models and materials used in the palace's construction as vital archaeological evidence. The unique design of the Cercadilla complex has no known parallels in the Roman world, marking it as an exceptional structure.
Three buildings from this ancient imperial palace later transitioned into a Christian cult center, likely dedicated to St. Acisclo, as deduced from archaeological findings and historical chronicles. A necropolis developed around this church in 811 CE, serving Christians under Muslim rule.
As history progressed, Cercadilla evolved into a suburb during the emiral and caliphal periods, with significant changes in occupation and urban development. The site has been subject to extensive excavation and study, revealing various residential structures and urban layouts.
Despite the destruction caused by the AVE construction, which obliterated substantial portions of the palace, the recent agreement heralds a renewed commitment to the site's maintenance and potential reopening. Fuertes stresses the need for continuous upkeep and serious consideration of public access to this historically rich site, which has remained largely neglected since 2018.