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Tarragona is one of the provinces that
makes up the Autonomous Catalan Region.
It is also the capital of the 'Costa Dorada'
with over 160 kms of coastline. Spain's
largest theme park, Port Aventura,
is in Salou, just south of Tarragona (see
Hotels
in Salou).
Tarragona city is situated on a hill next to the sea,
something which as well as being important strategically, gives it excellent views
over the mediterranean. It is principally a port city which has evolved and adapted
over time. The petrochemical industry is an important industry for this province,
the port is used for its transportation. Infact it is the second most used port
in the whole of Spain. One of the most outstanding features of Tarragona
city is its important monumental heritage which is currently being evaluated by
UNESCO to see whether it can be awarded world heritage status.
In 218
B.C. the city was invaded by the Romans who established themselves there and converted
it into the capital of 'Hispania Citerior' calling it 'Tarraconenses'. In 45 B.C.
Julio Caesar made it into a colony. Most of the monuments which form the city´s
cultural heritage were built during the Roman occupation: the ampitheatre, the
aquaduct, the city wall, the Escipions Tower and much more.
Following the Roman occupation it was
recovered by the Christians, then it was
invaded by the French, the Germans and
later much of the city was destroyed by
the Muslims in 716 A.D. a period of decadence
followed this. Thanks to the Catalan-Aragonese
kingdom and maritime trade the city quickly
recovered. In the 12th and 13th centuries,
following some years of conflict wine-growing,
agriculture and fishing emerged as its
main industries contributing further to
its recovery.
Things to do and see in Tarragona
city:
Roman remains include: the 'Forum de
la Colonia' (3rd century) and the Provincial
Forum (1st century), theamphitheatre (2nd
century), the Circus (81 - 96 A.D.), the
Cathedral and churches.
Walking around Tarragona: You can
find almost eveything of interest within
the old city walls. The most important
street is 'Las Ramblas' which leads to
a great viewing point called the 'Balcón
de Europa' where you can get great views
of the lower part of the city (the fishing
neighbourhood of Serrallo).
The
Roman Wall: It was built in the 2nd and 3rd centuries B.C. A good part of
it still remains as do 3 towers from the same period.
Cathedrals and
Churches: - The Santa María Cathedral (12th
century). It was built above an ancient Roman temple dedicated to the planet Jupiter.
It has been added to over the centuries something which is reflected in its many
architectural styles. You can see the transition from Roman to Gothic style. The
main building and the doors are Roman but its arched ceiling is clearly Gothic.
- The Santa María del Miracle Basilica:
-
San Antonio Church:Iinteresting renaissance facade.
Churches in Tarragona Amphitheatre:
- The Visigothic Basilica:
Built in the arena in honour of Sant Fructuoso (a Christian Bishop of Tarraco
who was killed).
- Necrópoli: Built between
the 3rd and 6th centuries by the Romans and later dedicated to Sant Fructuoso
when it was taken over by the Christians.
- The Roman Church:
(12th century) It was built when the city was taken over by the Christians once
again.
Museums : - The Roman Museum:
Located in the Pretori Tower, it contains interesting Roman and medieval
artifacts.
- The National Archeological Museum: It has
the most important collection of Roman artifacts from Catalunya from the 16th,
17th and 18th centuries.
- The Museum of Modern Art :Opened
in 1976, it contains Catalan works of art from the 19th - 20th centuries.
- The Diocesan Museum
- The
Christian Museum
Castles:
- The
Ferrán Castle: Dating back to 1197. It was given National heritage protection
in 1949.
- The Tamarit Castle: 7 Km from Tarragona.
Roman style, built in the 2nd century by Sr. Claramunt and sold later on in the
same century to Sr. Montoliu, who later adopted the name Tamarit. It has National
heritage protection and is presently owned by a Sr. Deering.
The
Ferreres Aquaduct (also known as the devil´s bridge): It was built in
the 2nd century to transport water from Gaiá river in an area called Alt
Campo some 30 kms north of Tarragona. It is 217 metres long and 26 metres high.
Located on the A7 road into the city.
The Barà Arch: Located
on the N-340 road, 20 Kms from Tarragona. It is a monumental Arch built in the
1st century.
CANALS House: Located on the Granada road. It was
built in the second half of the 2nd century B.C. It is connected to the city wall
and was used to transport weapons to the city walls if the city was under attack.
In the 15th century a 2 storey house was built. Charles 4th stayed there in 1802.
It is currently used as the City´s Historical Museum and Archive Centre.
Castellarnau House: A 15th century mansion which is used as the Tarragona
History Museum.
The Cister Route: This not only takes you to 3
monasteries, but also offers the opportunity to see interesting scenery and make
cultural and historical visits along the way. It is 104 kms long and can be done
on foot, bicycle or even on horseback, it covers 3 areas: Alt Camp, Conca de Barberá
and Urgell (this last one being in the province of Lérida):
- Santa María de Poblet Monastery: Founded in 1151 by king
Ramón Berenguer IV.
- Santas Creus Monastery: Founded in the 12th century
by the Cistercian order. It is no longer used as a monastery.
- Santa
María de Vallbona Monastery: In Urgell which is in the province of Lérida,
it was founded in 1153 and was integrated in the Cistercian order in 1176. Not
very large but beautiful and it is the only one out of the three which is soley
female.
The Mèdol Quarry: A Roman quarry 9 kms north of Tarragona,
near the old Roman road 'Vía Augusta' which links Rome with Tarragona.
Centcelles Mausoleum: It has some outstanding mosaics.
Compras:
You can buy many products from the province such as olive oil and wine - we
recommend the Conca del Barberà, Priorat-Montsant, Penedès, Priorat, Tarragonès
and Terra Alta wines.
Cuisine from Tarragona: The most famous
dish is 'romesco' a type of tomato and herb sauce with onion. This province also
has some very good wines. We recommend - in the area known as 'el Baix Ebre':
eels, frogs legs and duck dishes as well as paella; the area known as 'el Baix
Penedès': xató - salad, cod, olives, salsa romesco and Penedès wines;
in 'Montsià': rice dishes, eels, poultry, seafood and rabbit dishes; in 'Conca
del Barberà': wines, cod casserole and meat dishes; in 'el Priorat': Priorat-Montsant
wine, pigs trotters, cod stew with spinach and eggs; in 'Tarragonès': wines,
rice dishes, noodles, romesco, typical biscuits and sweets; in 'la Terra Alta':
wines, rabbit with romesco; in 'Ribera del Ebre': rabbit with balls of cod; in
'le Baix Camp': seafood, rice, fish; in' Alt Camp': calçotada (a typical
dish from this area).
Restaurants in Tarragona:
- The best restaurants in Tarragona Province: Miami Can Pons in Sant
Carles de la Rápita (Catalan cuisine); El Pa Torrat in Reus (traditional cuisine);
Casa Gatell-Joan Gatell in Cambrils (traditional fish and seafood cuisine); Faristol
in Altafulla (traditional Catalan cuisine); Can Bosch in Cambrils (very good traditional
fish and Catalan cuisne); Les Fonts de Lilla (traditional Catalan cuisine); Cal
Ganxo (traditional Catalan cuisne); Masía Bou (traditional Catalan cuisne). See
also Restaurants
Costa Brava
- In Tarragona city: El Merlot (traditional cuisine),
Sol Ric (traditional cuisine and seafood); Ca'l Brut (seafood); Les Fonts de Can
Sala (traditional cuisine and seafood).
Hotels in Tarragona
Tarragona Province: See also Hotels
in Salou if you are planning on
visiting Port Aventura (see video of
roller coaster in Port Aventura Theme
Park at bottom of page).It has a lot
to offer tourists. As well as 216 kms
of golden beaches, small coves and marinas,
it has some natural areas ideal for hiking,
mountaineering and canoeing. There are
4 golf courses and 4 Pitch & Putt
courses; water parks and Portaventura
a well known theme park. Most outstanding
is the number of historical monuments,
medieval villages, prehistoric caves with
wall paintings, Roman churches, monasteries
(Roman and Cistercian) and other remains.
There is a Parador in Tortosa (see photo
on the right).
Natural Areas:
.jpg) EL
EBRE NATIONAL PARK: It has World heritage status. It consists of 320 square
kilometres of Mediterranean marshland, making it the second largest marsh in Europe.
There are both fresh water and salt water lakes, rice fields, salt mines and forests.
It has an ideal ecosystem for flowers and plants. There are over 300 types of
birds and beautiful natural beaches.
MONTANYES DE PRADES: Mountain
range consisting of ravines and pine and oak and forests. The Francolí, Brugent,
Ciurana, Glorieta rivers start from here. An outstanding natural area.
MONTSANT MOUNTAIN RANGE: Within the area known as el Priorat. It is 20km long.
A beautiful area it has:mountian peaks (the highest being 1163 metres high), ravines,
you can do a wide range of adventure sports here such as bungee jumping...The
Montsant river starts here.
MERAVELLES CAVES: in Benifallet:
Exceptional formation.
FONT MAJOR CAVES: in l'Espluga del
Francolí: prehistoric caves, interesting geology. ABRICS RUPESTRES de
Ulldecona: Picturesque 8000 year old caves. World heritage site
Towns and villages in Tarragona: - Tortosa
- El Vendrell
- Montblanc
- Vilanova i la Geltrú
- Reus
- Valls
- Falset
- Mora de Ebre
- Gandesa
Useful links: Hotels
in Salou; Hotels
in Barcelona; Restaurants
Costa Brava
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