Tarragona is one of the largest ports in Spain on the Mediterranean sea, but it is of exceptional interest for tourism. The port is located at a distance and does not prevent tourists from enjoying the beautiful beaches and seeing the sights included in the UNESCO cultural heritage lists.
The settlement on this site was founded in the 5th century BC by the Iberians, who inhabited the Peninsula in ancient times. There was a very convenient Harbor, above which is a high hill, convenient for creating a fortified city.
The history of Roman rule over these lands began in 218 AD, when a detachment of Gaius Cornelius Scipio landed here during the Second Punic war with Carthage. At this time, the troops of the Carthaginian General Hannibal were in Italy, and Scipio tried to cut them off from their supply bases. A fortified military camp was established on the hill. At first it was the main base of Roman troops in Spain, and then became the largest Roman city on the Iberian Peninsula. The city was named Tarraco.
First, the Romans built Fortress Walls, some of which have survived to this day, then began large-scale work on the construction of not only residential buildings, but also the Imperial zone. Julius Caesar granted Tarraco the status of capital of the province of Near Spain. Under the Emperor Octavian Augustus, the importance of Tarraco increased so much that for 2 years, in the period from 26 to 25 BC, It became the Imperial residence, from where Octavian Augustus ruled the Empire. In those years, only a small Roman military camp was located on the site of Barcelona.
Many historical monuments have been preserved in Tarragona since the Roman Empire. A Roman Amphitheater is located near the beach at the foot of the hill. It was built in the 2nd century BC. It also preserves the Roman-era Fortress walls, the oldest on the Iberian Peninsula. You should definitely visit the Roman Circus, where chariot races were held. In the National archaeological Museum you can see a very interesting collection of finds from the Roman period, as well as the early Middle Ages.
On top of the hill, on the territory of the former Roman Forum, the one of the largest Catholic Tarragona Cathedral in Spain was built in the Middle ages. It was founded in 1171. The residential development of the old city, which is now called Part Alta, was formed around it. It has preserved many houses of the middle ages. Its narrow, winding streets are lined with a Medieval route.
In addition to its historical heritage, Tarragona is a magnificent resort of the Spanish Costa Dorada. There are sandy beaches in and around the city. Tarragona has a very convenient road and rail connection to Barcelona and the surrounding resort towns.
