Bolonia, Cadiz Province, Andalucia, Spain - a small isolated coastal village and fishing community on the Atlantic coast of the Costa de la Luz, some 15km north of Tarifa.
Windsurfers and sunbathers alike enjoy its fine sandy beaches. The present village is very popular in the summer months with young surfers and travelers. The atmosphere appears to be very laid back. The fact that there is no through traffic in Bolonia adds to its tranquility
Some of the surrounding area is ministry of defense land so access is restricted but if you turn left when leaving the beach you can journey up a long hillside road that offers spectacular views. From the top, you can see Zahara de los Atunes and beautiful countryside.
The village is located at the end of a 5km narrow road, which leaves the A7 coast road at km. 70 climbing over a hill to give beautiful views of the bay. There is an official bird watching post here. The road winds down to the coast. Turn left to enter village. Here you can find a number of beach bars such as Bar Los Rejos. At the end of the village the road comes to a dead end by Bar La Cabana. Continue (south) on foot and you can visit a number of isolated coves.
The Roman ruins of Baelo Claudia are just to the north of the present settlement. The ancient city site of Baelo Claudia is situated along the Strait of Gibraltar and was built in a cove at Bolonia. It is surrounded on three sides by the mountain ranges of La Plata and San Bartolome, the remaining side faces the Atlantic Ocean. It was built in the 2nd century B.C and became an important centre among the stronghold of Roman Andalucia, then called Betica.
By the 1st century A.D. the city was at its best and under the Emperor Claudius. The cities livelihood centered around the fishing industry and supplied salted fish, as well as being an important administrative centre. It is believed that an earthquake had much to do with the ruination of the city.
The few remains of the city make an interesting visit with some classic examples of Roman architecture to be seen. The city was a walled construction with a forum, or public square situated at the meeting point of the two main streets. Around this stood the public buildings including temples, shops and a market. The theatre stands on the area of steepest gradient, to enable easy seating of the audience. The baths lie to the east of the city and were probably private. The city had a water supply by three aqueducts. Close to the sea shore is the industrial centre where the fish were cured.
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