Tarragona, with about 140,000 inhabitants, is the capital of one of Catalonia's four provinces, on the Costa Daurada about 100 km south of Barcelona. It is a calm, sunny city with an important port and one of the richest Roman heritages on the peninsula.
Roman Tarraco
Founded as a military camp in 218 BC by the Scipios during the Second Punic War, Tarraco became the capital of Hispania Citerior Tarraconensis, the empire's largest province. Augustus stayed here. The archaeological ensemble of Tarraco has been a UNESCO site since 2000. You can visit:
- the amphitheatre, overlooking the sea, where gladiator games were held;
- the circus, with its underground galleries, and the Praetorium tower;
- the Passeig Arqueològic, along the Roman walls;
- the forum, the National Archaeological Museum and the early Christian necropolis;
- outside the city, the Pont del Diable aqueduct, the Tower of the Scipios and the Arch of Berà.
The medieval and modern city
- The cathedral, between Romanesque and Gothic, built on the site of the temple of Augustus, with a fine cloister.
- The Balcó del Mediterrani, the viewpoint on the Rambla Nova, where tradition says you touch the iron railing for luck.
- The Rambla Nova, the main promenade, and the old town, the Part Alta.
- El Serrallo, the fishermen's quarter, with seafood restaurants and the fish market.
- The beaches of El Miracle, L'Arrabassada and La Savinosa.
Castells and festivals
Tarragona is a capital of castells, Catalan human towers, UNESCO intangible heritage. Every two years, in October, it hosts the Concurs de Castells, the great competition between colles. The Santa Tecla festival, around 23 September, with giants, devils, processions and castells, is one of Catalonia's most spectacular.
Around Tarragona and getting there
The resort of Salou and PortAventura park, the monasteries of Poblet and Santes Creus, Priorat wines. Tarragona has regional trains, and the Camp de Tarragona AVE station links Madrid and Barcelona. Reus airport is about 10 km away.