The Other Spot

The Roman presence in the Iberian Peninsula lasted more than six centuries, a long period of time in which the territory to a greater or lesser extent, was taken to the institutions and forms of government in the capital of the Tiber. One of the most prominent examples of this romanization was Tarragona, ancient Tarraco.

Capital of the province of Tarragona (covering nearly half of the peninsula), the Catalan city today is a first rate tourist attraction. There are many remains from Roman times that are stored on it, both inside its Archaeological Museum, and within a short walk through the streets.

One of the salient features of Tarragona is the presence of two Roman Forums, one for the county government and one for the province. The latter is found in the upper part of the city of Tarragona, in the Plaça del Forum, very near the Cathedral. The funny thing is that it was built on the ruins of an ancient Roman temple that was dedicated to imperial worship. It is a great example of how the religious function of a space has remained through the centuries, in different stages.

In the bottom of the forum in the province comes the Circus, where he developed the horse and chariot races, highly appreciated by the Roman citizenship. Currently, this building retains some of the steps and an interior gallery. The Plaça de la Font, where you can find the Ayuntamiento de Tarragona is built on the ruins of this circus. And it is extremely curious fact that the shape of this square is elongated, and follows the same direction of what must be the circus.

The three buildings (temple, cathedral, forum and circus) configured at the time the religious life, politics and idle Roman Tarraco. Edges are the walls. The Tarragona Archaeological Walk, which follows the course of these, is a real time travel, the back twenty centuries to what was the time of maximum splendor of this city. Two statues so preside. On the one hand, that of Octavian Augustus, first emperor of Rome, who led from Tarraco the evolution of the Cantabrian Wars. And on the other hand, a Capitoline She-wolf, symbol of the capital of the Tiber, in the 30s donated by Italy.

A bastion of the walls was the Praetorian Tower, offering at the top a magnificent view of Tarragona and its beach. Besides this, we found one of the architectural jewels of the city’s Roman amphitheater. In an optimal condition, extremely aware of the presence inside of a Christian basilica erected in the sand. It was built to commemorate the martyrdom of Saint Fructuoso, bishop of Tarragona in the years of persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire, and two of his deacons, Eulogio and Omen. Thus, a primitive place of leisure became religious for many years.

This provides the Catalan city of Tarragona. But not all, since its surroundings are also scenes of many Roman remains, like the Tower of Scipio and the Arc de Bara (both at the foot of the Via Augusta, current N-340, towards Barcelona) and the Pont del Diable, a magnificent aqueduct on the outskirts of the city.

Undoubtedly, when referring to the Roman presence in Iberia must speak of Tarragona. For lovers of this ancient civilization, it is essential to visit this city. It implies, in any case a time warp that makes us remember the important Roman presence in this territory, he bequeathed many cities, laws and public works wherever he went.