The 'eclipse of the century' will plunge these 8 wonders of the Roman Empire into darkness on Aug. 2, 2027
Founded in the second century B.C., this remarkably well-preserved Roman city near Bolonia beach includes a forum, basilica, theater, temples, baths and a decumanus maximus (east-west street), all set against forested hills and a vast coastal sand dune.
Key points
- From beachside Baelo Claudia in Spain and military Tamuda in Morocco to Timgad and Djémila in Algeria and the jaw-dropping El Jem Amphitheater in Tunisia, Roman ruins will experience between two and more than five minutes of darkness — creating extraordinary possibilities for eclipse chasers and photographers.
- CEST; 4 minutes, 31 seconds Historical cloud cover: 12% Altitude of the sun: 37 degrees above east Roman ruins, an Atlantic beach and the mountains of Africa could all share the frame with the eclipsed sun at Baelo Claudia.
- in the Martil Valley, near modern Tétouan, the Romans established a fortified military camp here in the first century A.D., whose massive stone walls remain the defining feature of this archaeological site.
Málaga's Roman Theatre was built in the first century B.C., when the city was part of the Roman province of Hispania, and today sits directly beneath the Alcazaba, the imposing Muslim-era palace-fortress that dominates the hillside above.
Additional details
- Before reaching Egypt, totality will sweep across the Mediterranean and North Africa, passing over an extraordinary collection of Roman cities, fortresses, theaters, temples and triumphal arches.
- Málaga Roman Theatre, Spain The Roman Theatre at the foot of the Málaga Alcazaba dates back to the 1st century BC.
- Another major advantage for eclipse chasers is that this extraordinary historical setting sits in the heart of Málaga, making it one of the most accessible ancient sites on the path of totality.
- Here are some of the best places to watch the moon's shadow cross what was once the Roman Empire.
- Tamuda combines long totality, promising weather and an atmospheric archaeological foreground — yet remains far less famous than the Roman sites across the Strait of Gibraltar.
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