Massive Roman Necropolis Uncovered During Málaga Metro Works

A monumental piece of ancient history has resurfaced in the heart of Málaga. During ongoing subterranean excavation works for the city's metro network extension, archaeologists have unearthed a sprawling Roman burial ground along Calle Hilera. The site, documented in late October 2026, has revealed the remains of more than 1,000 individuals across nearly 1,000 distinct burial complexes, offering unprecedented insight into everyday life and customs in classical Andalusia.

Dating from the second to the fourth centuries AD, this massive necropolis sheds new light on the population and funerary traditions of Roman Malaca. For travellers basing themselves along the eastern Costa del Sol, including Nerja and the Axarquía, it provides a compelling cultural reason to venture into the provincial capital.

A City Beneath the Streets

Málaga's rich layered history is well-known to anyone who has visited its hilltop Alcazaba or the Roman theatre at the foot of Mount Gibralfaro. However, the sheer scale of the discovery along Calle Hilera has surprised even seasoned researchers. The metro expansion project required thorough subterranean monitoring, which led directly to the identification of these extensive funerary grounds.

Spanning three centuries of Roman rule, the nearly 1,000 burial complexes reflect changes in burial practices, social customs, and ritual traditions over a pivotal era. The physical remains of over 1,000 people will give specialists a deep, data-rich window into the health, demographics, and lifestyles of the ancient inhabitants who walked these coastal lands centuries before modern developments took shape.

Visiting Málaga from Nerja

For holidaymakers staying in Nerja, Málaga makes for an effortless and rewarding day trip. Located approximately 50 kilometres west along the scenic A-7 coastal highway, the provincial capital is easily accessible by car or via the regular ALSA intercity bus services running directly from Nerja’s bus station to central Málaga.

While active civil engineering and archaeological evaluation continue along Calle Hilera, the find enriches the wider cultural circuit of the city. Visitors drawn to classical antiquity can pair a stroll through central Málaga with visits to the restored Roman Theatre (*Teatro Romano*) on Calle Alcazabilla, where an interpretive visitor centre offers context on the Roman era across the province.

As the excavation work concludes and the documented findings undergo study, pieces from the site may eventually find their way into the city's archaeological collections, adding yet another layer to Málaga's already vibrant museum landscape.

Good to know

• Location: Calle Hilera, Málaga city centre (close to the central commercial district).
• Site period: Second to fourth centuries AD.
• Findings: Over 1,000 burial complexes and skeletal remains of more than 1,000 individuals.
• Getting there from Nerja: Around 45 to 50 minutes by car via the A-7, or roughly 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes by direct intercity bus from Nerja.
• Classical highlights nearby: Combine your trip into Málaga with a visit to the nearby Roman Theatre (*Teatro Romano*) on Calle Alcazabilla.