Barcelona tours:Tarragona, A Roman Capital by the Sea

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Visit the previous Barcelona Tour page: Montjuic’s Magic Fountain

tarragona picture, caption reads: Tarragona's old city is still encircled by a stone wall. This gate, known as the gate of Saint Antonio, will take you into another time and age. Tarragona's old city is still encircled by a stone wall. This gate, known as the gate of Saint Antonio, will take you into another time and age.

tarragona picture, caption reads: Tarragona's cathedral, built between 1171-1331 on the site of a Roman temple, is a mix of Romanesque and Gothic styles. Tarragona's cathedral, built between 1171-1331 on the site of a Roman temple, is a mix of Romanesque and Gothic styles.

tarragona picture, caption reads: A vendor offers a colorful selection of shirts and assorted postcards in front of Tarragona's cathedral. A vendor offers a colorful selection of shirts and assorted postcards in front of Tarragona's cathedral.

tarragona picture, caption reads: Tarragona's beaches are fantastic. Together with the cities well preserved Roman ruins it is a great place to come and spend the day. Tarragona's beaches are fantastic. Together with the cities well preserved Roman ruins it is a great place to come and spend the day.

tarragona picture, caption reads: A man stops to take a quick snapshot of these 6th and 12th century churches. Built on the same site where the Roman's once held gladiator fights, the Amphitheater. A man stops to take a quick snapshot of these 6th and 12th century churches. Built on the same site where the Roman's once held gladiator fights, the Amphitheater.

tarragona picture, caption reads: This Spanish cat enjoys his siesta between the huge stones that make up the old Roman wall. Tarragona has many well preserved Roman ruins within the old city. This Spanish cat enjoys his siesta between the huge stones that make up the old Roman wall. Tarragona has many well preserved Roman ruins within the old city.

Tarragona: A Roman Capital by the Sea

Images and Text by Gaston Magrinat. Click on any image for a larger version.

Tarragona is a quiet place to get away from the hectic pace of Barcelona. As soon as you set foot in this former Roman capital, the world suddenly melts away and only Tarragona remains. The town sits above the Mediterranean and offers some melancholy views of its deep blue waters. The beaches are wonderful, with gentle waves crested by white foam constantly slapping against the shore. The old city is lined with cobbled streets encircled by Roman walls, and is full of extremely well preserved Roman ruins that speak of another time and place. If you sit still and listen to the wind blowing from the cool blue-green sea you can almost hear the voices of those who once walked, lived and died in this imperial capital by the sea.

My wife and I often find ourselves jumping onto the train with our bikes, a picnic lunch and our beach gear in tow. Only an hour and half away from Barcelona by train, Tarragona is a perfect choice to escape Barcelona and to spend a quiet Sunday riding upon her cobbled streets, contemplating the distant horizon and watching the waves roll in.

Tarragona, the capital of the Roman province of Hispania and now a World Heritage site, has fantastic and well preserved Roman ruins which often amaze those who take the time to walk the road less travelled. The Amphitheatre is definitely one of the star attractions, and it is well worth spending some time strolling among its stones. Located not far from the shore line, Tarragona’s Amphitheatre offers a vivid insight into the Roman past. It is easy to imagine the stone seats filled with eager spectators awaiting the release of the gladiators, or to hear the clash of metal and the cheers of those seated carried on the cool Mediterranean breeze. The backdrop of the Mediterranean contrasts sharply with the grisly scenes that must have taken place within the Amphitheatre.

Within Tarragona’s Amphitheatre lie the remains of 6th and 12th century churches. They were intentionally built on the site of the Amphitheatre to commemorate the martyrdom of the Christian bishop Fructuosus and his two deacons, who were burnt alive here in 259.

As well as the many Roman ruins to be seen in Tarragona such as the forum, parts of the original walls and the Amphitheatre, Tarragona’s cathedral is a wonder in and of itself. It is a combination of two distinct styles, Romanesque and Gothic. The interior is over 100 meters long: Romanesque at the north-eastern end and Gothic at the south-west. With a series of steps leading to the main entrance, its white stones tower above the city streets giving the impression of being much taller than it really is.

Tarragona can get quite hot during the long summer days, but don’t worry: relief is just a short distance away. Tarragona has several kilometres of beach that can provide a welcome respite from the summer heat. Find yourself a nice spot, spread out your towel, pop up your umbrella and let yourself go. The water is perfect!

If you are looking for something different, Tarragona, with its Roman history, beautiful beaches, well preserved ruins and its close proximity to Barcelona and Port Aventura, Spain’s biggest and best funfair park, makes for a wonderful day or weekend visit for the entire family. The kids will love the beach and Port Aventura and the folks will really enjoy the scenery, culture and beauty that is Tarragona, a Roman capital by the sea.

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picture of tarragona , caption reads: Just in front of Saint Antonio's gate lies this sparkling fountain, where one can see the Mediterranean in all its spendid color. Just in front of Saint Antonio's gate lies this sparkling fountain, where one can see the Mediterranean in all its spendid color.

picture of tarragona , caption reads: A family visit to Tarragona would not be complete without a picture in front of this wonderful cathedral of white stone. A family visit to Tarragona would not be complete without a picture in front of this wonderful cathedral of white stone.

a picture of tarragona , caption reads: These balconies are covered in red, yellow and violet flowers. A fresh bust of color amid the white background. These balconies are covered in red, yellow and violet flowers. A fresh burst of color amid the white background.

picture of tarragona , caption reads: Only an hour away from Barcelona, Tarragona's beaches offer a nice alternative to Barcelona' often crowded waterfront. Only an hour away from Barcelona, Tarragona's beaches offer a nice alternative to Barcelona' often crowded waterfront.

picture of tarragona , caption reads: Tarragona has some very well preserved Roman ruins such as this Amphitheater. It was used for all kinds of events, including their famous gladiator fights to the death. Tarragona has some very well preserved Roman ruins such as this Amphitheater. It was used for all kinds of events, including their famous gladiator fights to the death.

picture of tarragona , caption reads: This section of the Roman wall is located in Tarragona's Forum Plaza. It dates to the 1st century BC. This section of the Roman wall is located in Tarragona's Forum Plaza. It dates to the 1st century BC.