Rudiae (Lecce): guided tour and historical reenactment at the Archaeological Park

Date: Saturday 16 May 2026

The Rudiae Archaeological Park offers a two-part event designed to highlight the site's history, improve accessibility and encourage participatory enjoyment. The initiative is part of the project "Rudiae, the city of Ennius", funded under SMART-IN – POR Puglia 2014–2020.

Program

• 4:30 PM – Guided route: an escorted visit tracing Rudiae's phases from the Messapian foundation (7th century BC) through its Roman development (3rd century BC). The itinerary includes information panels, virtual reconstructions, photographs and a virtual tour accessible via tablet.
• 5:30 PM – "Return to the past": historical reenactment by Legio VIII Avgvsta Salento. Under the olive grove above the amphitheatre, the living history presentation features camps, scale models of the castrum and amphitheatre, educational tables with finds and small siege engines.

Highlights and reasons to attend

The visit covers the park's main points of interest, including the Roman amphitheatre dating to the era of Emperor Trajan. The event will also explain the site's connection to Quintus Ennius, a key figure in Latin literary history. It is ideal for archaeology enthusiasts, families and school groups seeking an experiential approach.

Practical information

• Admission: free with mandatory reservation
• Reservations: phone 3495907685
• Location: Rudiae Archaeological Park, Via A. Mazzotta, 73100 Lecce (LE), Italy
• Times: guided tour 4:30 PM; reenactment 5:30 PM

Activities are organized in collaboration with the Municipality of Lecce, the Superintendency for Archaeology, Fine Arts and Landscape of Brindisi, Lecce and Taranto, and Archeologia Ricerca e Valorizzazione SRL (A.R.Va). Check the park's official channels for updates.