Karl WP Beyer The city of Tarragona, with a population of more than 130.000, is located on the Costa Dorada, Spain's "Golden Coast". The port city is the capital of the province of the same name, one of four provinces in the autonomous region of Catalonia.
Costa Dorada - Platja del Miracle
Tarragona's story
Tarragona's history goes back more than 2.000 years. In 218 BC Roman troops occupied the region. The Romans named their settlement "Tarraco" and made it their provincial capital. Even today, many spectacular ancient buildings testify to the original importance of the city.
The roman theater
After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, the area fell to the Goths. They were driven out by the Moors in 716 AD. Tarragona was destroyed and remained virtually uninhabited until the beginning of the 12th century. Only after the Reconquista, the reconquest of Spain by Christian rulers, did the city regain its life.
The Roman city wall with the Portal de Sant Antoni
Tarragona in the present
The city is one of the most important ports in the Mediterranean. The city is also an important location for petrochemical companies. At the same time, the area around Tarragona is characterized by agriculture. The area is known for its hazelnut plantations and viticulture.
Entrance portal of the cathedral
Tarragona has been an archdiocese of the Roman Catholic Church since the end of the 5th century.
This tradition was interrupted during the Moorish occupation. The cathedral is one of the city's most attractive attractions. Tarragona is also a university city with faculty branches in Reus and in nearby Vila-seca.
The rectorate of the university
Tarragona for crusaders
While there are regular and loud complaints about too many cruise ships in Barcelona, 100 kilometers away, Tarragona's port receives four dozen ship visits over the year. It's hard to understand.
Ruins of the Roman circus
After all, the mild climate, an annual average of 2.700 hours of sunshine and many attractions make a stay in Tarragona very pleasant. The Cruise Terminal is five kilometers from the city center. The distance can be easily bridged with port buses and taxis. The walk is not recommended. The subsequent city tour should primarily lead to the Gothic old town, to the Roman ruins protected by UNESCO World Heritage and to the cathedral. We describe the main goals under Discover Tarragona on your own.
