If you come to Tarragona, you should visit the National Archaeological Museum, even if you are not a fan of visiting Museum exhibitions. This Museum is an important point on the Tarragona Archaeological route.
During the Roman Empire, Tarragona was the capital of the province of Near Spain, the largest city on the Iberian Peninsula. Barcelona and Madrid did not exist then. Thus, it seems quite logical that it was in Tarragona that the Archaeological Museum appeared where the most interesting exposition of the ancient period is collected. The national archaeological Museum of Tarragona is also the oldest Museum in Catalonia. It was formed in 1844 based on the Museum of Antiques. The basis of the Museum`s exposition was the collection of Juan Molas, who initiated the creation of the Tarragona Archaeological Museum.
Today, the Archaeological Museum of Tarragona is located in a three-story building. It was built in 1960 on the edge of a hill on the side of the embankment, close to the Roman tower of Pretoria, next to the Roman Circus.
Almost the entire exposition of the Tarragona Museum is dedicated to the era of Ancient Rome, as during excavations, as well as during construction work in the old town of Part Alta, archaeologists found a large number of artifacts from that period.
Of particular interest are the huge mosaic panels that were placed on the floors of the houses and villas of the rich Romans in Tarragona and its surroundings. Many of them are very well preserved. In several halls there are various artifacts of the Roman era: sculptures, bas-reliefs, sarcophagi, columns, capitals, large vessels, amphorae. There are also many household items, coins, and clothing.
In the basement of the Museum, you can see the masonry of megalithic blocks, which was made in the 2nd century, during the construction of the Roman walls around the military camp. The building of the Archaeological Museum of Tarragona is connected by a staircase to the Tower of Pretoria, where you can also see a very interesting Museum exhibition, and then go to the ruins of the Roman Circus.
