Interesting places in tarragona. Monument to grandfather Virgil. How to get to the monastery

Tarragona is the second largest city in Catalonia after Barcelona. This is one of the most amazing historical sites which is of particular interest to tourists. One of the oldest cities with a huge heritage of the Catalan nation in the form of the most diverse architectural monuments, it is the majestic buildings of Ancient Rome, many of which have turned into ancient ruins. Modern buildings combined with ancient Roman ruins create an incredible atmosphere of mystery and fascinate with their landscapes.

The most picturesque places in Tarragona

The historical city of architecture opens its sights at every step for the visitor. Tarragona is primarily famous for its unforgettable Roman amphitheater bowl, built in the 2nd century. Archaeologists managed to discover it only in 1952.

The monument is located in one of the most picturesque corners - under a hill called the Mediterranean Balcony of Tarragona. The audience rows, the gate leading to the arena, as well as the stage itself with an area of ​​about 2.5 sq. km, are well preserved from the building. The oldest building in the form of an ellipse was able to accommodate up to 15 thousand spectators.

A majestic amphitheater was erected with the aim of holding cruel gladiator fights here for the general spectacle. As the story goes, during the time of the exile of the followers of Jesus, it was in the arena of Tarraco that the execution of three followers of Christ took place. Later, Christians erected a church on the stage of the amphitheater in memory of the first martyrs, which, unfortunately, could not survive to this day.

Next to the ancient building is the Mediterranean Sea and a picturesque park, descending in cascades in the form of terraces to the ruins of antiquity.

The ancient walls of the city of Tarraco, erected by the Romans, are among the main attractions of Tarragona. The fortress walls, or rather its remains, are considered one of the oldest monuments of architecture, which has been perfectly preserved to our times.

The construction was built in the II century BC, with the aim of marking the boundaries of the city of Tarraco and protecting it from possible attacks. The wall stretched for 3.5 kilometers. The remaining part of one kilometer now goes around the quarters of the modern city.

A tour of the historic city touches on the most remarkable surviving fragments of the fortification in the form of stone blocks folded without a binder mortar, where famous towers Minerva and the Archbishop, the Roman Gate of the Intercessor, the bastion of St. Dominic and other buildings of antiquity.

Another of the most significant and famous architectural monuments of Tarragona is the oldest Historical building- the Cathedral of St. Thekla and St. Mary, made in a combination of two styles - Gothic and Romanov. It began to be built back in 1171, and it took its completed form only in 1350. The central portal of the historical building is decorated with a carved bas-relief depicting paintings of the Last Judgment.

A majestic old staircase leads to the entrance of the cathedral.

Inside the building, near the main altar, you can see images of scenes from the life and suffering of St. Thekla.

The views of visitors are presented majestically towering lancet and semicircular arches, benches made in the Gothic style and religious sculptures.
One of the most remarkable figures of the cathedral is the Archangel Michael, trampling the Devil with his foot with a smile on his face.

Part of the architectural monument is the museum of the diocese, located in the eastern part. It is famous for its rich collection of ancient bells cast in the 14th century.

For visitors historic city Spain should definitely take a walk along the amazing Las Ramblas.

It starts from the square of the Imperial Tarraco bus station and ends at a cliff called the Balcony of the Mediterranean. The Rambla stretches only 700 meters in length, but has collected many monuments and beautiful fountains. The pride of the boulevard is the eminent sculptural composition of castells and the Fountain of the Century, which we will discuss below.

Tarragona, whose sights are endless, never ceases to amaze visitors with its peculiar monuments. One of these is the Tarragona tower Als Castells, made of bronze in the form of a pyramidal sculpture of 219 human figures.

It is dedicated to the castellers, who hold castells competitions twice a year. The essence of the game is to build a higher living tower from the participants.

The author of this creation was the Spanish sculptor Francesc Angles. The monument, which has become one of the main attractions of the city, was erected in 1999. The height of the tower is about 11 meters, and it weighs 12 tons.

At the top of the monument is a figure of a waving child, and near the sculpture there are bronze musicians and the leader of the construction process. Among the figures that are part of the monument, you can see such outstanding creative personalities as Pablo Picasso, Juan Antonio Samaranch and even the author of the sculpture is here.

On one of the boulevards is one of the most beautiful fountains, called the Fountain of the Century. It was erected in honor of the 100th anniversary of the New Rambla in 1954. The creator of the project was the famous sculptor Juzel Viladumat, who was the creator of many monuments located in Barcelona and Reus.

Near the fountain there are several sculptural compositions in the form of male figures of different races. Each of them is a symbol of a continent or part of the world.

Fountain "Boy with a goose"

The Greek sculptor Boeth of Chalcedon is the author of the monument in the form of a boy with a goose. The fountain, which represents childhood and love for animals, has gained worldwide popularity, and copies of it have spread all over the world.

It is noteworthy that not only people come to the fountain to admire the sculpture, but often pigeons also visit this place, who are not averse to sitting on the sculptural composition.

Walking along Tarragona's Placa dels Sedassos, you can see a house with an illusory facade. The artist Carles Arola became the author of the painted wall. The building was decorated using a special trompe-l’œil (“trick of the eye”) technology. On the balconies of the house, the master depicted popular Spanish characters, and on the penultimate balcony he painted himself with his wife.

Optical illusion creates an illusion for the viewer that all the characters depicted are in three-dimensional space.

Royal Square

One of the most picturesque streets of Tarragona is referred to as the Royal Square. The square got its name in the 15th century during the reign of the King of Aragon, when the Praetorian fortress was called the "Royal Palace" and was the residence of high-ranking persons of that period. Since then, the territory adjacent to the palace has become known as the Royal Square.

This part of the city contains unique archaeological buildings. Among them are the Roman circus, the National Archaeological Museum, as well as the Praetorian fortress, which houses the Museum of Roman History.

One of the most interesting archaeological sites of value is the Roman circus of Tarragona.
The majestic building was erected in the 1st century AD and is considered the last building of the Flavian era.

From the circus, stands designed for an audience of 30 thousand spectators, underground corridors, dilapidated and dilapidated vaults, as well as some remains of tombstones of that century have survived. Here is the "Palace of Pilate" - the tower of the Roman praetorium, connecting the lower city with the Provincial Forum. Once inside the tower, a surprisingly picturesque panoramic view opens up - from here you can see the bewitching Mediterranean Sea, the ruins of the Roman amphitheater, as well as the cathedral. There is something to see inside the palace - this is the hall with the sarcophagus of Hippolytus and the Gothic hall.

Museum of Roman Culture

While walking along the Royal Square in Tarragona, do not forget to visit the museum dedicated to Roman culture. Here are collected all the preserved monuments ancient rome, which are an integral part of the World cultural heritage. The world treasury has about 25 thousand of the most valuable exhibits, which are associated with the history of an important period for the city in terms of cultural and economic development.

Visitors can get not only aesthetic pleasure from viewing the main exhibition: here they have a unique opportunity to descend into the underground arcades, where the burial places of the first Christians are located.

Near the Museum of Roman History there is another unique museum with a valuable exposition - the National Archaeological Museum. The building is the oldest building in Catalonia, built in the 19th century.

The museum is the custodian of archaeological excavations that have been found over the past century and a half.

Here are collected items from the Roman amphitheater, various sculptures, mosaics, as well as some details of ancient architectural buildings.

Roman aqueduct Ponte del Diable - "Devil's Bridge"

A few kilometers from the city is the Roman aqueduct Ponte del Diable, which is a building that stretches for 217 meters. The structure with a height of 27 meters was built in the 1st century BC, during the time of Caesar Augustus.

The "Devil's Bridge" was built to supply the city with water and was used for this purpose until the 18th century.
This historic building is part of the cultural world heritage, which was included in the UNESCO list in 2000.

Tarragona - a city of cultural heritage

When heading to Spain, be sure to visit the picturesque resort town Tarragona, the atmosphere of which is completely saturated with the historical spirit.

Antiquity and modernity intertwined here, creating amazing landscape panoramas.

This is one of the most unique places on the planet with the richest archaeological complex.

A monument to General Primus was erected to the hero Reus for numerous victories in wars.

It was created by the sculptor Pugener and installed in 1893. Outwardly, it is a yellow marble pedestal, on which is a bronze figure of a general sitting on a horse, with a naked saber in his hands.

The pedestal is decorated with bas-reliefs depicting the general in the military events at Tetuan, in Mexico in 1862 and his other exploits. And on the east and west sides of the pedestal is decorated with the coats of arms of Juan Prima and Reus.

Monument to grandfather Virgil

The monument to grandfather Virgil, erected on the New Rambla in Tarragona in 1995, is dedicated to the memory of Josep Virgil, a famous Tarragona bibliographer and publisher.

The monument is cast in bronze in full size. The Catalan sculptor Josep Agusti worked on the monument. Externally, the monument is an elderly man watching everyday life, which flows on the Spanish Boulevard.

It is not surprising that this modest monument, radiating kindness, attracts many tourists who love to sit next to the "grandfather" and take pictures.

Monument to the Heroes of 1811

The author of this monument is the Catalan sculptor Julio (Julio) Antonio (Julio Antonio) (1889-1919). Among the people, this monument, made with obvious elements of Art Nouveau, is known as “Nudes” (Els despullats) (due to the fact that the sculptor depicted his characters without clothes, the composition caused fierce controversy in Tarragona society at one time). The monument was erected in honor of the Tarragona, who fought with the Napoleonic troops in 1811, when Tarragona was subjected to a painful siege and looting by the French during the Spanish-French War (by the beginning of 1812, all of Catalonia had already been occupied by Napoleonic forces, France was defeated only in 1814). The composition depicts mother Tarragona (Tarraco), who says goodbye to her sons, two heroes of the war with the French.

Monument to Aragonese admiral Ruggiero di Lauria

The bronze statue of Admiral by the sculptor Felix Ferrer Galcerá n was made in 1886. The monument, along with a pedestal designed by Ramon Salas Ricoma, was inaugurated in 1889.

Monument to the artist Fortuny

In the Spanish city of Reus, there is a magnificent monument created based on the painting by Mariano Fortuny. The painting “The Young Count” (“El Condesito”), which depicts a young dandy count dressed in an 18th century suit, was executed in bronze. This canvas was painted by Fortuny in 1861, when he was in Rome. Now it is in Barcelona, ​​in the Art Museum of Catalonia.

The monument itself is located on the Plaza del Pintor Place Fortuny (Pla a del Pintor Fortuny), about ancient building with three domes. It is set on a two-meter pedestal made of marble. On the front side of this pedestal is an engraved round plate, which depicts a portrait of the artist in profile. The dates are written under the tablet: 1838-1874 - these are the years of the artist's life.

At the top of the stepped pedestal is the statue itself. Its height is approximately 189 centimeters. The count depicted on it holds his hands in his pockets, a guard and a hilt from a sword stick out from under his cloak, and a sly smile is depicted on his face.

A unique and original city in Catalonia - Tarragona - is picturesquely spread on the Mediterranean coast, 150 kilometers from Barcelona. This largest port Spain. Tarracon, as Tarragona used to be called, experienced its dawn in the era of the Roman Empire. Tarraconian Spain was at that time the capital of the Roman province. Now Tarragona is the largest center of Spanish tourism, and the well-preserved historical quarter and its pearl - the Cathedral of Tarragona keep traces and the spirit of the Middle Ages.

Pearl of Catalonia

Tarragona, with a population of 140 thousand people, is the second most important cultural and historical object region of Catalonia. Traditionally, festivals and national holidays are held here. On such days, the main street of the Rambla is smartly decorated, and a stream of people flows continuously along it towards the embankment. The street effectively ends with an observation deck - the "balcony of the Mediterranean", from where a wonderful view of the amphitheater and the Mediterranean Sea opens. The fenced promenade is located above a cliff 20 meters high. Along with the Roman amphitheater, the "balcony of the Mediterranean" is considered the main attraction of Tarragona.

Along the perimeter, the "balcony" is bordered by beautiful wrought iron railings. This is a favorite place for walks and photo shoots of tourists. There is a sign: to knock on the railing of the balcony means to attract good luck into your life.

Costa Dorada of Catalonia

The magnificent beaches of Catalonia are called Costa Dorada- Golden shore. They stretch south of Barcelona and are famous for their fine sand, in the rays of the sun and in the spray of the sea breeze shimmering gold. The Costa Dorada in Terragone stretches for 15 kilometers and is famously warm, calm sea, flat underwater landscape, ideal for swimming, well-equipped coastline for a comfortable beach holiday, bars, cafes for every taste and budget, hotels and guest houses right on the Mediterranean coast. In the evening and at night, the entire coast is flooded with colorful lights and filled with music that sounds from numerous dance floors.

The climate of the Costa Dorada in the Tarragona region is somewhat milder and warmer than in other coastal regions of Spain, therefore, this resort is ideal for families with children. There are several reasons for this: the city is protected from cyclones from the west and north by the Pyrenees, behind which stands another mountain range - the Catalan Mountains. The average air temperature in the summer months is kept at the most comfortable values: + 25-27 degrees, the water temperature is about 23 degrees.

Sights of the historical part of Tarragona

The old center of the city, fully included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, is one continuous attraction. With each new turn, different wonders open up before the admiring viewer, which you can see:

• Roman amphitheater;
• Cathedral of Tarragona;
• Pilate's castle, or Royal Castle;

Roman amphitheater

This business card Tarragona. The amphitheater was partially carved into the rock in the 2nd century by the ancient Romans, at that time it could accommodate up to 14 thousand spectators on its stands. The structure was built in the classical form of an ellipse with dimensions of 109 by 86 meters. According to tradition, gladiator fights took place in it and theatrical performances and public executions were held. Our contemporaries can see only the remnants of the former luxury, when the sun gently illuminates the ancient stone steps. From the amphitheater, a beautiful well-groomed park runs up in terraces, where vacationers like to walk. There is a road leading to Rome nearby.

Made in the Romanesque-Gothic style, the Tarragona Cathedral is perhaps the most beautiful and majestic medieval monument in the province of Catalonia. It began to be built at the end of the 12th century, but was consecrated only in 1330. Inside, a magnificent altarpiece by Pere Joan opens up to the eyes. It is interesting to see sculptural compositions on biblical themes, as well as the skillfully decorated tombstone of the Infante don Juan of Aragon. In his short but vivid biography, the facts are known that at the age of 17 he became the bishop of Toledo, and at 28 - the prelate of Tarragona. This honorary citizen of Tarragona died in 1334 at the age of 33.

In the geography of the city, the cathedral is located very advantageously - it stands on the highest point of Tarragona. This is a whole complex of unique ancient buildings, including, in addition to the cathedral itself:

• museum;
• Cathedral Square;
• Romanesque cloister (covered gallery of the cathedral);
• chapel of st. Tecla;
• House of Canons;
• statue of st. Paul.

The most impressive part of the Cathedral is the western façade. From the side Cathedral Square it has a stunning view. The portal is decorated with figures of 11 apostles and prophets and a luxurious rose window.

To see the cathedral complex in all its glory, you need to climb to the roof of Pilate's castle, there is an observation deck.

The museum was founded in the 19th century and has absorbed many valuable exhibits found during excavations in the Roman amphitheater and the Necropolis. The most significant of them are Roman coins, togas, weapons, jewelry, dishes made of expensive metals. In one of the halls, you can look at the heads of Roman emperors on pedestals.

Centenary Fountain

This is the most picturesque fountain in Tarragona, built in 1954 in honor of the 100th anniversary of the New Rambla. The central exposition of the fountain is 4 figures, signifying 4 parts of the world. Male figures carved from Burgos stone represent different human races on different continents.

Monument "Castelleros"

Only in Tarragona there is a monument to the organizers of the "living pyramids" (sculptor Francesc Angles). The monument was erected on the New Rambla. Pyramids of living people - acrobats (castellers) - one of the attractions of Tarragona. On big holidays, acrobats build a multi-tiered pyramid of themselves without any insurance up to the height of a 12-story building! In the video below, you can see how castelleros is being built and how it is being destroyed.

The pyramid is strictly calculated. So, from tier to tier, the weight of living "bricks" becomes lighter. A living structure is always crowned by a child.

We visited the very "Roman city" of Spain, walked along the stone pavements, admired the ancient walls and sights. It is surprising that seemingly different concepts harmoniously merged in one city - antiquity and an elite beach holiday. A holiday in Tarragona is truly a delight for the soul, for the body, and for knowledge.

Visit other Catalan cities, for example.

Able to brag sunny weather, beautiful coastline and interesting ancient monuments, Tarragona is a port city that hugs the golden shores of the Costa Dorada.

Most of the city overlooks the Mediterranean Sea. The magnificent beach of El Milagro is within walking distance of the main attractions. Echoes of ancient history await the visitor at every corner, from UNESCO-listed Roman ruins to medieval lanes and cobblestone streets, as well as a Romanesque-Gothic cathedral.

To soak up the quaint atmosphere of the Old World, you should go to the El Serrallo area - once a fishing village, where the big city began to emerge, which is now called Tarragona. In this atmospheric corner, tourists can take a walk along scenic trails and enjoy delicious fresh seafood at one of the waterfront restaurants.

Situated at the top of the city, this cathedral has both Romanesque and Gothic features, typical of the façade of many cathedrals in Spain. Here you can see Gothic vaults and Romanesque carved capitals. Inside the cathedral, you can also find a small museum with its large collection of objects ranging from Roman hairpins to fine polychrome wooden sculptures from the 12th and 14th centuries.

National Archaeological Museum of Tarragona

This archaeological museum has one of the most incredible collections of ancient Roman art in the country. Tourists here can see ancient finds that were found near historical monuments in the city.

Many will undoubtedly be amazed by the variety of exhibits, here are sculptures, ceramics, and other works of art. The main and most popular exhibits here are mosaics depicting Greek gods.

Adjacent to the museum, a huge Roman praetorium served as the residence of a Roman general. This impressive tower is known as the supposed birthplace of Pilate.

Location: Plaça del Rei - 5.

Next to the beach is this well-preserved amphitheater where gladiators fought each other or a wild animal. In its arena are the remains of 6th and 12th century churches built to commemorate the martyrdom of a Christian bishop and two deacons, who are believed to have been burned alive here in 259 AD.

Most of the amphitheater was taken to pieces, the stones were used to build the port, so now only a partial reconstruction of what was once an amphitheater can be seen here.

A walk through the old city will lead tourists to two lines of city walls. The inner ones are mostly Roman and date back to the 3rd century BC, while the outer ones were built in 1709 during the War of the Spanish Succession. But most of all, tourists admire the huge gate built by the Iberians, to the right of the entrance, there are steps that allow you to climb higher to enjoy incredible views of the city.

A walk to the old town is worth starting from Porta del Rozer.

This bridge is located near the labyrinths of dusty paths and clearings, 4 km from the central part of the city, not far from the AP7 motorway. This building dates back to the reign of Emperor Augustus.

The Devil's Bridge, consisting of a two-level arch, impresses with its design. The upper part has 25 arches, while the lower part has about 11. They are all the same diameter. The distance between each support post is 10 m.

This sprawling Roman Christian city of the dead on the western edge of the city is made up of more than 2000 complex tombs. It has been in use since the 3rd century BC and thus confirms the conversion of Rome to Christianity. Funerary objects and sarcophagi, ceramics and crypts are presented here.

On the west side of the Rambla Nova, this is an incredible historical monument that used to be the center of the ancient city. The rectangular space (formerly the square) is the site of the remains of many Roman buildings, an important institution. All of them belong to the classical Roman era, when this place was called "Tarraco" and was the center of the province. Tourists should visit the Roman Curia, the most famous ruins that have been found in this area. They are open to the public from Tuesday to Sunday, admission is free.

This large complex with two separate entrances includes part of the space where chariot races were once held, as well as the tower of the praetorium in the Royal Square and the provincial forum, the political heart of the province of Tarraco (Tarraco). The Provincial Forum is a Roman archaeological site that has been listed world heritage UNESCO in 2000. It has been built since 73 AD. by order of the emperor Vespasian and remained in use until the 5th century.

El Serrallo is an area in the central part of the city where the fishing village. This area still has an old world charm, despite the fact that Tarragona has long since become a modern developed city. The incredible promenade is considered the main highlight here, it is also a good place for evening walks.

Here tourists can try local culinary masterpieces from seafood. Many restaurants stand right on the waterfront and can offer tourists a wonderful selection of delicious dishes. Many owners of cafes and restaurants buy fresh products every day at the nearby fish market.

This building was erected at the end of the 15th century specifically for an influential family living in the province. The refined Gothic interior is furnished in the style typical of the house of Isabella II.

The most architecturally unusual features are the patio and the staircase with its row of Gothic columns. The rooms display impressive paintings. Now this building is open as a museum with an amazing ethnographic collection.

Location: Carrer dels Cavallers - 14.

Playa del Milagro beach

Tarragona appreciates the magnificence of beaches with clean shores and warm water. From the main observation deck of the city, hiking trails will lead tourists directly to the beaches. The best of them is Playa del Milagro, a wide strip sandy shore, which stretches for a kilometer in length. The beach is located in the center, from here it is easy to get to the Roman amphitheater.

Monument unveiled on May 29, 1999 and dedicated to Catalan artists. It is located on the Rambla Nova. The monument is made of bronze and weighs twelve tons. It was created in the form of an improvised tower from 222 human figurines which are made with stunning detail. In many of these figures one can recognize such masters as Pablo Casals, Pablo Picasso, Antoni Gaudí, Joan Miro or Juan Antoni Samaranch and many others.

Street "El Carrer del Cós del Bou"

This street is part of one of the districts of Tarragona, which has long been faithful to the old traditions. Previously, this place was called "calle del hostal", but since 1552 it was decided to rename it. At the end of this street (where it ends at the Fish Market) there was a place where people were going to watch a bullfight. Two world famous musicians were born on this street: Josep Maria Pla i Mateu and Josep Sentís i Porta.

Monument "Torre dels Escipions"

This is a burial tower that the Romans built on the outskirts of the province. It is considered one of the best architectural buildings in Tarragona. The tower was built in the 1st century AD, a few kilometers from the main Roman road that crossed the entire peninsula from the Pyrenees to Cadiz. This is one of the ancient Roman burial structures, which still remains the most historically important in the entire Iberian Peninsula.

Church of St. John the Baptist (Parroquia De Sant Joan Baptista)

The second oldest religious center in the city after the cathedral, work on which began on September 5, 1802. Since 1805, this church has been a haven for the Capuchins in Catalonia. But in 1835 the Capuchins had to leave this place. In early 1840, the church served as a place of worship under the leadership of Bonaventura Homs, who was also the first rector of the parochial institute located in this church.

Location: Plaça General Prim - 8.

Tarragona is a city located on the Mediterranean coast, 100 km south of Barcelona. Tarragona is the capital of the province of the same name in Spain and a district in Catalonia. Currently, the city has approximately 110,000 inhabitants. Capital of the Gold Coast(Costa Daurada - Spanish / Dorada - Cat.), a famous beach holiday region in Catalonia, is an important economic center. One of the most significant commercial ports in Spain is located here, as well as a large oil refinery.
The city was founded by the Romans around the 3rd century BC on the site of an Iberian settlement. In ancient times, Tarragona was called Tarraco. At that time the city had more high status than Barcelona, ​​the current capital of Catalonia.
In 197, when the Romans divided the united "Spain" into two separate administrative units, it was Tarraco that became the main city of the Hispania Citerior province.
Even earlier, in 45, Julius Caesar granted the city the name Colonia Urbis Triumphalis(Colonia Urbis Triumphalis). From that moment began the heyday of Tarragona, which became the center of religious and political meetings, as well as the residence of the emperors Augustus and Hadrian. The well-preserved monuments of the Roman era testify to the former importance of the city. In terms of their number and degree of preservation, Tarragona surpasses many cities of modern Italy. As a result, UNESCO has made antique monuments Tarragona is on the list of especially valuable objects of the World Heritage of Humanity. In a word, Tarragona is a real reserve of Roman architecture, and, at the same time, modern city by the sea does not look at all like a frozen mummy.
After the fall of the ancient empire, the Visigoths came to the Iberian Peninsula, who were soon expelled by the Moors (VIII century). Tarragona was in the hands of immigrants from Africa for 400 years, much longer than Barcelona. Christians were able to return the city only at the beginning of 1117 and it immediately became a stronghold of the church on Iberian Peninsula. Tarragona played this role until the reconquest of Toledo.
During this period, the city had many interesting buildings, churches and palaces of the nobility. The Cathedral and the square next to it are the most interesting monument of the Middle Ages in Tarragona, but other, no less curious buildings have survived.
Industrial revolution XIX-XX centuries. did not bypass the city by the sea and appeared in it wonderful creations in the Art Nouveau or Art Nouveau style which are still pleasing to the eye.
In general, the current Tarragona is an amazingly beautiful, interesting city where it is pleasant to walk or just sit on a bench: with a variety of historical monuments, numerous restaurants, shops and wonderful views of the Mediterranean Sea.

HOW TO GET TO AND MOVEMENT IN THE CITY

By plane
10 kilometers from Tarragona is located Reus airport. You can get to the center of Tararagona by regular bus (about 2-3 €) or taxi (about 33 €). In Reus performed charter flights From Russia.
100 km from Tarragona is Barcelona airport. There are many direct flights from Russian cities to Barcelona, ​​which are operated by different airlines (Aeroflot, Transaero, Iberia, Vueling and some others). From El Prat Airport (Barcelona) you can get to Tarragona in different ways: a direct bus, an electric train with a transfer at the Sants station in Barcelona, ​​as well as a taxi (150-200 €).
Trains leave for Sants Station every 30 minutes. from terminal T2 (ticket price 5-10 €). A free bus runs from terminal T1 to the station at the airport.

By bus
A direct bus connects Tarragona and Barcelona airport(journey time 1 hour, cost approximately 13€). The timetable can be viewed on the Autocares Plana website.
The Tarragona bus station is located almost in the city center, from where buses leave for most cities in Spain (Alsa) and abroad (Eurolines).

Railway
Located 10 minutes from the city center railroad station"Camp de Tarragona", which takes high speed trains type ABE (AVE). They allow you to get to Tarragona from Madrid, Zaragoza, Lleida and other cities covered by the high-speed traffic network.
Local electric trains run regularly from Sants Station (Barcelona) to Tarragona different types(travel time approximately 1 hour, cost 8-10€).

Automobile
The AP-7 toll road and the N-340 national highway link Tarragona with Barcelona, ​​Tortosa and Valencia. Both roads run along the coast. Another expressway AP-2 leads deep into Spain in the direction of Lleida - Zaragoza - Madrid. The N-420 road links Tarragona with Reus and Teruel. An extensive network of local and regional highways makes it easy to get to any locality provinces.

Getting Around the City
The historical part of the city is quite compact, and it is most convenient to walk here.
main view public transport Tarragona - buses.
There is a taxi service in the city.

FOOD in Tarragona

It's hard to stay hungry in Tarragona. Numerous restaurants offer a varied selection of international and regional cuisine with an emphasis on marine gastronomy. Especially famous is the famous Tarragona romesco sauce(salsa romesco), which is prepared with red peppers, as well as roasted nuts.
Tarragona is unthinkable without the wonderful vintage white wines of the Tarragona Plain (denominacion de origen: Tarragona) and the red wines of Priorat (denominacion de origen: Priorat).
Before dinner, the inhabitants of Tarragona have a habit of awakening the appetite with a glass of vermouth.

HOLIDAYS OF TARRAGONA

February-March (dates subject to change) Carnival: a fun holiday with a parade of compars and a spectacular performance of "Fiery Hell" (Infern del Foc);
Holy Week(week before Catholic Easter): majestic procession with ritual figures;
the last two weeks of May international cultural festival "Revived Tarraco"(Tarraco Viva), which aims to acquaint the public with ancient history Rome. The city returns to its roots, its streets are filled with legionnaires, gladiators, artisans. The restaurants serve dishes prepared according to ancient recipes.
June 23-24: "San Juan Night"(la Noche de San Juan), during which the picturesque "Devil's Ball" (Ball de Diables) with "human castles" (castellers) is arranged in the city. A group of young people, putting their hands on each other's shoulders, stand in a circle, then other participants in the action climb on their shoulders, forming another “human ring”, and so on. Gradually, a multi-tiered “castle” is born, with a “tower”, which is depicted by a young brave man standing on top of this amazing building. Women and girls participate in this acrobatic etude on an equal basis with men.
first week of July Tarragona International Fireworks Competition(Concurso Internacional de Castillos de Fuegos Artificiales de Tarragona) brings together the most famous artists who use fire instead of a brush. The public chooses the winner, who receives an order for the pyrotechnic design of the city's main holiday.
August 16 - 19: small celebration of the city "Sant Magi"(Fiestas de Sant Magí), which is accompanied by a folk procession of giants and tadpoles and other fun rituals;
September 15 - 24: (Fiestas de Santa Tecla) - with picturesque processions, various competitions and processions - one of the most famous holidays in Catalonia.

SIGHTS IN TARRAGONA

New Rambla (Rambla Nova) - the central street of modern Tarragona - with luxury buildings in Art Nouveau, Baroque and Neoclassical styles, cozy squares, gardens and parks, a fountain with allegories of the four continents. The new Rambla passes into the Alley of Palms (El Paseo de las Palmeras), which is also known as the "Mediterranean Balcony" (El Balcon del Mediterraneo). From the side of the Alley, there is a beautiful view of the city and the impressive monuments of the Roman era.
Old Rambla (Rambla Vella) is located parallel to the New Rambla, closer to the port and the history of the city.
Archaeological Alley (Paseo Arqueologico) or Roman Walls (Murallas Romanas) is located in the northern part of the city, near the Old Rambla. On the Alley you can see a part of the city wall 1100 m long, 12 m high and 4 to 6 m wide, which was built by the Romans at the end of the 3rd century BC. BC, three watchtowers, portal and 5 gates. From the side of the Alley, a wonderful view of the city and the coast opens up.
Local Forum (Forum Local) - a complex of buildings of various eras, located in a kind of "triangle of attractions" behind the New Rambla. Its corners are crowned by: the Market (Mercat), the Roman Theater (Teatro Romano) and the arena "Square of the Brave" (Plaza de Bravos). From the side of the Roman walls in the Forum, you can see a kind of basilica and majestic ruins of houses, preserved from antiquity and the Middle Ages.
Roman Amphitheater (Amfiteatro Romano) , symbolically located at the confluence of the Roman road Via Augusta (Via Augusta) with the Old Rambla, which arose during the Visigoths. This spectacular building was erected in the II century for gladiator fights. In the central part of the Amphitheater, the base of the basilica, built by the Visigoths in the second half of the 6th century AD, has been preserved. On the foundations of the basilica, the ruins of a 12th-century church in the Romanesque-Gothic style, Iglesia de Santa Maria de Milagro, have been preserved.
Roman Circus (Circo Romano) , built in the 1st century, is located near the Amphitheater, at the intersection of the Old Rambla and Oleger (Oleguer). Various performances and competitions were held in the circus, and the famous horse races were especially popular, in which "big" and "quadrigi" (light carts drawn by two or four horses) participated.
Museum of Roman Culture (Museo de la Romanidad) - an unusual museum located in the tower, which belongs to the ensemble of the Provincial Forum (Forum Provincial). This tower housed the "offices" and chambers of officials of the Provincial Administration. In the Middle Ages, the function of the building did not change, but the owner changed. The tower was turned into a royal castle. After the War of the Spanish Succession, the military headquarters was located here. A museum was opened in the building in 1968.
National Archaeological Museum (Museo Nacional Arqueologico) located next to the Museum of Roman Culture, on the Royal Square (plaza del Rey). The building of the Archaeological Museum rests on the foundations of a Roman-era building, which was rebuilt in the Middle Ages and served as the residence of the kings of Aragon and Catalonia. In 1813 the building was set on fire by the soldiers of Napoleon's army. Only part of the walls survived, and the facade, decorated with Doric elements.
In one of the surviving halls of the XIV century. the Pinacoteca Museum is located. The Archaeological Museum has a rich collection of almost 25,000 exhibits, most of which were found on the territory of the city and in its environs: sculptures, fragments of architectural monuments, elements of temples of different eras, ceramics of the region, glassware, metal, decorative and applied arts by local craftsmen.
Jewish Quarter (Barrio Judio) - a small area of ​​medieval streets with gothic arches, which starts near the Archaeological Museum - near the Royal Square.
On one of the streets of the quarter - Santa Ana - is the Museum of Modern Art (Museo de Arte Moderno). The Museum's collection contains interesting works by Catalan masters: sculptures by Julio Antonio, Salvador Martorella, Santiago Costa, as well as paintings by Josep Sancho.
Wall of the Provincial Forum (Muro del Forum Provincial) located at the end of Santa Ana street. The Forum Wall leads to Via Merceria, a street of charming Gothic arcades (porches goticos). In the Middle Ages, the city's commercial center was located here. The Gothic street ends at Plaza Santiago Rusinol, not far from which you can see the magnificent Cathedral.
Cathedral Catedral de Santa Maria (La Seu) - the main temple of the city, which is also considered the largest cathedral in Catalonia. The cathedral is one of the most interesting and remarkable monuments of the transitional period from Romanesque to Gothic. The construction of the Cathedral began at the end of the 12th century, but it was consecrated only in 1331. The plan of the Cathedral is a Greek cross. The appearance of the temple combines and combines elements of the Romanesque and Gothic styles in a very interesting way: the columns separating the naves are made in the Romanesque style; the gallery is a vivid embodiment of Gothic; the Romanesque dome is decorated with Gothic windows.
The interior features a large polychrome altar by Pere Joan (XV century). No less curious are the sculptural groups illustrating biblical stories and instructive fables (XII-XIV centuries). It is worth paying attention to the elegantly decorated tombstone of the Infante Don Juan of Aragon, who at the age of 17 was Bishop of Toledo, at 28 - the prelate of Tarragona and died at the age of 33 in 1334.
Despite the presence in the architectural design of the Cathedral of the elements of the most different styles, the overall harmony of the interior is still preserved.
One of the galleries of the Cathedral leads to the Museum of Religious Art (Museo Diosesano), among its exhibits: Gothic icons, altars and iconostases of the 13th - 19th centuries, canvases of the 17th - 18th centuries, copper, ceramics, manuscripts and books of the 15th - 18th centuries . special attention deserves a collection of Brussels tapestries presented in 9 series.
Hospital of Santa Tecla , in the building of which the Council of the District of Tarragona (Consell Comarcal del Tarragones) is located - one of the most interesting buildings of the old city, embodying the Romanesque-Gothic style of the XII - XIV centuries, with characteristic arcades. The building is located near the Cathedral, on the street of St. Tecla (Santa Tecla).
Pallol Square (Plaza del Pallol) - charming square medieval style, located on the way from the Cathedral to the Old Rambla. The majestic Romanesque gate of the Provincial Forum, miraculously preserved among the Gothic buildings, is a peculiar attraction of the square.
Museum-Palace of Castellarnau (Museo-casa Castellarnau) located near Place Pagliol, on Cavaliers Street. Palace built in the 14th century. (partially rebuilt in the 15th century), is a typical aristocratic residence of the Renaissance. In 1542, the palace was the residence of Emperor Charles V during his stay in Tarragona. At the end of the 18th century, Maria Castellarnau acquired the palace. At her request, the facade of the building was rebuilt and the interior was updated. The palace is interesting for its collection of paintings and works of arts and crafts from different eras, as well as for the very atmosphere of elegant elegance.

Art Nouveau in Tarragona
The Art Nouveau style appeared in Spanish culture at the end of the 19th century. - the beginning of the 20th century, and the most striking works in this style were created by Catalan architects, artists and designers. Since Tarragona has always been an important cultural and economic center of the region, the best masters of Catalonia were invited to work in the city. Today in Tarragona you can see wonderful Art Nouveau works mentioned in many classic catalogs and textbooks:
House Salas (La Casa Salas) - house number 25 on the New Rambla;
Public Market (Mercado Publico), built in 1915;
Bullring (Plaza de Toros) - 1885;
Monastery of the Barefooted Carmelites - El Convento de las Carmelitas Descalzas (1897) - a work of Pau Mongio and Segura (Pau Monguio i Segura);
Monastery of St. Teresa - El Convento de Santa Teresa (1922) - the work of Bernardi Martorell (Bernardi Martorell).

Attractions in the vicinity of TARRAGONA

Paleo-Christian Necropolis (Necropolis Paleocristiano) - an amazing museum of funerary monuments of the III-VII centuries, located almost on the outskirts of the city, next to the Francoli River.
In 1923, during construction work on the construction of a tobacco factory, at a depth of 1.80 m, a Romano-Christian cemetery of 200 square meters was discovered, on the territory of which there were 2050 various funerary monuments.
In the Necropolis Museum you can see interesting ivory items, amphoras, magnificent mosaics, sarcophagi, magnificent tombstones and mausoleums.
Roman Aqueduct (Acueducto Romano) - a spectacular structure of the Roman era, located about 4 km northeast of Tarragona. The aqueduct, which is a line of arches made up of two levels, overall height 27 m and 217 m long, at one time was integral part the water supply network of the city, built at the direction of the Roman emperor of Spanish origin - Trajan. The lower line of the Aqueduct consists of 11 links, the upper line combines 25 arches.
Subsequently, for some reason, a worthy monument of Roman culture received the "folk" nickname "Devil's Bridge" (el Puente del Diablo).
Mausoleum of Centcelles - is located among the ruins of a Roman city of the 4th century, where an interesting cemetery has also been preserved. The Mausoleum, which was built as a tomb monument to Constantine I, deserves special attention. The dome of the Mausoleum is decorated with wonderful mosaics depicting the seasons, hunting scenes, scenes from the Old and New Testaments. Beautiful frescoes have partially survived on the inner walls.

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