Tarragona

Tarragona is the city of Catalonia that during the Roman Empire was the capital of the Roman province Hispania Tarraconensis. Due to its geographical position, on the Mediterranean, in the Costa Dorada, it is a place very popular because of its beaches of transparent and warm water and its climate, quite favourable during almost the whole year.

As for the toponym Tarracona, it is hypothesized that it means Gran Costa Brava, name given by the first Iberian peoples who inhabited it.
Under Roman domination it became known as Tarraco, and during the period in which Augustus lodged in the city, he built an altar there, and began to prosper economically as the capital of the province of Hispania Tarraconensis thanks to its port.

With the successive emperors, the amphitheater, the temple area and the provincial forum were built.
After the fall of the Roman empire, Tarraco was occupied by the Visigoths, then by the Muslim Arabs, and by the Normans.

During the Middle Ages, castles and large monuments arose occuping the area of the Roman era, and the fortifications were strengthened to defend the city from the continuous wars and attacks by pirates.
At the end of the nineteenth century the walls were demolished to expand urbanization. And with the works of the port were discovered numerous archaeological remains that became part of the heritage of the city’s archaeological museum.

With the Spanish Civil War, the city was bombed on several occasions, and many buildings were destroyed and rebuilt after the war.

WHAT TO SEE IN TARRAGONA

ARCHAEOLOGICAL HISTORICAL HERITAGE

  • The Archaeological site that forms the Roman ruins of Tarraco, declared World Heritage Site in 2000, consists of fourteen different places: Roman walls; Temple of the Imperial Worship; Provincial Forum; Roman circus; Colonial forum; Roman theatre; Amphitheater, Basilica and Romanesque church; Early Christian museum and necropolis; Aqueduct; Tower of the Scipioni; Quarry of the Médol; Centelles mausoleum villa; Villa dels Munts; Bará Triumphal Arch.
  • Historic centre: it coincides with the first Roman settlement occupied by the Provincial Forum of Tarraco. It was surrounded by the Roman wall, of which only 1 km is preserved today.
  • Ancient Audiencia: a building of the twentieth century that saves the remains of a Roman tower, one of the points where the major activities of the city were concentrated.
  • Amphitheater: inside there are remains of the Visigothic basilica of San Fructuoso and the church of Santa Maria del Miracle.
  • Roman circus: where chariot races were disputed.
  • Balcony of the Mediterranean: a place from which to observe the sea, for its elevated position on a steep area.
  • The Cathedral of Tarragona: a medieval Christian temple built between the 12th and 14th centuries.
  • Tower of Scipioni: Roman funerary monument in the form of a tower.

PARKS AND GARDENS

  • Parc de l’Amfiteatre
  • Parc Francolí
  • Parc de la Ciutat-Quinta de Sant Rafael
  • Jardins Camp de Mart
  • Mirador de Saavedra
  • Parc la Muntanyeta
  • Parc del Camí de la Coma
  • Parc de la Reconciliació
  • Jardins de Sant Antoni
  • Parc de les Tres Granotes

BEACHES

About 15 km of coastline with beaches and inlets with transparent water and fine sand with a golden colour that gives the name to the Costa Daurada. The beaches are equipped with services and equipment for water sports.

  • Platja del Miracle
  • Platja de L’Arrabassada
  • Platja de la Savinosa
  • Platja dels Capellans
  • Platja Llarga
  • Platja de L’Arboçar
  • Platja de Becs
  • Platja de la Móra
  • Cala Jovera
  • Platja de Tamarit
  • Reserva Natural de Punta de la Móra

MUSEUMS

  • Diocesan Museum of Tarragona
  • Casa de la Festa: inside it are exposed the patrimonial elements of the Feasts of Santa Tecla, declared Fiestas of national and tourist interest.
  • Early Christian Museum and Necropolis
  • National Archaeological Museum of Tarragona
  • Museum of the Port of Tarragona
  • Museum of Modern Art of Tarragona
  • Biblical Museum of Tarragona: created from the collection of archaeological pieces, maps and religious objects found by Dr. Josep Vallés, in his travels to the Holy Land and other countries of the Middle East.
  • House Museum Castellarnau: home of some of the most influential families in the city
  • Casa Canals: the residence of the Canals family

THEATRES

  • Café Teatre Metropol
  • Teatre Tarragona

GASTRONOMY

The gastronomy of Tarragona is largely linked to the sea and agriculture. Among the typical dishes there are:

  • Espineta con caracoles: the part of the tuna with the thorn that is removed leaving it soaking a few days, and the caracoles are snails, all cooked in a broth of potatoes and other vegetables.
  • Xarró de Carnaval: a soup with vegetables, meat and pasta that is eaten during the carnival period.
  • Cassola de romesco: fish soup with romesco sauce, a sauce made with almonds, walnuts and peppers.
  • Rossejat: rice cooked with fish flavour.
  • Calçots con salsa romesco: roasted green onions with romesco sauce
  • Also excellent are the wines of Tarragona that have the appellation of origin, among which there is the Paralleda, the Macabeo and the Garnacha Tinta.

TRADITIONAL FESTIVALS AND FEASTS

Popular festivals are a pleasant opportunity to get to know the city of Tarragona, and in particular allow you to discover the cultural traditions that have been handed down from generation to another during centuries.

  • Feasts of Santa Tecla: between the 15th and 24th of September, it is a declared Fiestas of national tourist interest where various activities take place, among which there are the castells, human towers of different floors, the parade of the eagle representing the city, the fireworks, the dances and the procession to carry the arm of Santa Tecla in the cathedral.
  • Feasts of Sant Magí: between 13th and 19th August, water with horse-drawn carriages and the image of San Magí are carried in procession in the city, up to the hermitage of the Portal del Carro where people can then drink the miraculous water of San Magí. Also in those days there are musical performances until late in the evening.
  • Competition of the castells: biennial event that people celebrate the first weekend of October, in even years. These are human towers of different levels.
  • Holy Week: traditional festival of national interest, celebrated on Holy Friday. The most awaited show is the procession of the armats, the Roman legionaries.
  • Carnival: the parades of the wagons and the final pyre.
  • Sant Jordi: from 20th to 24th April people celebrate Sant Jordi, the patron saint of the Catalans. Traditionally, couples gift each others with roses and books. Therefore in those days of celebration there are sales of books and roses on the streets of the city.
  • Sant Joan: on the night of June 23rd, people celebrate Saint John with fireworks and other events.
  • Tarraco Viva: from May 5th to 19th, is a cultural festival dedicated to the Roman era, where you can attend historical representations, conferences, fairs or savour the ancient Roman gastronomy.

OTHER CITIES OF CATALONIA TO VISIT

  • Barcelona: It is the place where Roman emperors left traces of their presence, where the largest county of medieval Catalan towns flourished and where brilliant architects created innovative works of art that never cease to amaze. Read more about Barcelona
  • Girona: in its historical centre there is the most important artistic patrimony of the city, surrounded by a part of wall where you can enjoy a splendid sight. In addition to the civil buildings of great historical importance, there are religious buildings such as the monastery of San Pedro de Galligans, the chapel of Sant Nicolau and the Basilica of San Félix with particular architectural features worthy of interest. Read more here about Girona
Booking.com