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The ruins of this 32 hectare city are located at 1.000m above sea level. This is an urban are that thrived in the first century AD when it had a population of 5.000. It was mentioned in Plini and, inscriptions to Geninn Oppidi, to the god Marse and to Victoria Augusta have been found. The city even minted its own money, which features bunches of grapes. It later gave way to the town of Arunda where Ronda now sits, probably because the new site was easier to defend. Acinipo fell in 429 AD.
There was also a Bronze age settlement here between 1,100 and 750 BC. Near the car park the visitor can see the foundations of circular huts with the floor paving still in place. In one area a sign identifies the forum. Some large foundation stones and troughs can be seen. In this area excavations have found numerous buildings with emblems. This has lead archaeologists to believe that they must have belonged to public buildings.
Reaching the top of the escarpment behind the large monument, the visitor is suddenly rewarded with the sight of the Roman theatre, large enough to seat 2,000 people and in good condition - complete with an orange tiled orchestra pit and actors' changing rooms. It is suggested the theatre was started in 65 AD and completed about 200 AD. A modern steel stage has been constructed.
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