Around 218 BCE the Romans established a military base called Tarraco.It became a key Roman city, eventually the capital of the largest provinces in the Roman Empire. Emperor Augustus even stayed in Tarraco, and the city became a political, economic, and cultural hub.Many Roman remains still stand, including an amphitheatre, circus, aqueduct, and walls and is an UNESCO World Heritage Site.
It was a great place to stay as it has beaches along the Mediterranean and Catalán culture including creating Castells or human towers. I was lucky to be here on one of their holidays to see them. The top is higher than the second floor.
The amphitheater was used for sport (humans against lions)… You can see the seats arranged around. Holes can be seen in the rock where netting was applied to stop the lions from getting in the stands.
Roman circo. This was for chariot races and the vaults/tunnels underneath for bringing the chariots in was well preserved.
The tower was used for defense and also for political prisoners by the Romans, the French, and by Franco during the civil war, among others. This picture was taken at the top of the tower.
In walking around I saw this statue of Romulus and Remus.
Views of Tarragona while walking around the old city.
Above is the Cathedral and below is remains of the Roman city wall which is extensive in the city.
Tarragona is definitely a place to go and more laid back than some other cities. The Mediterranean was great for swimming and looking at all the little fish swimming by.