If you like to see ruins of what was once the Roman Empire, a kind of paradise awaits you in Tarragona. Just to give you an idea, in here there is a wall, a forum, a theatre, a circus in which the chariots ran, some towers and many pieces preserved in the National Archaeological Museum waiting for your astonishment and enjoyment.
read more
If you like to see ruins of what was once the Roman Empire, a kind of paradise awaits you in Tarragona. Just to give you an idea, in here there is a wall, a forum, a theatre, a circus in which the chariots ran, some towers and many pieces preserved in the National Archaeological Museum waiting for your astonishment and enjoyment.
But you also must see, a few kilometres from the city, an exceptional stretch of the Aqueduct of Les Ferreres, which they call Puente del Diablo, Devil’s Bridge. And near the beach, you have an amphitheatre which is breathtaking and apparently was built near the sea to facilitate the disembarkation of the beasts they used in their peculiar shows, not suitable for sensitive people. Without going into many details, you should know that in there they threw entire Christian families, dressing the children up as sheep so the lions wouldn’t have to think it twice. Oh, well… Before we continue, think for a moment how lucky we are living in these times.
Has everything reached us a little spoiled? Yes, but these wonders have stood for two thousand years in this war-torn and unruly Spain. Tarraco was one of the great enclaves of Rome in Hispania, and the Unesco had recognised it declaring this impressive archaeological site a World Heritage Site.
But so much splendour suffered a proper setback when Caesar’s empire fell and medieval times arrived. The city was left in an unstable situation when the conflicts between Moors and Christians were everyday events, and it had to suffer conquests and reconquests. But as soon as things calmed down, as it usually happens, the Gothic Cathedral that you can admire today began to be built. It is dedicated to Santa Tecla, and we have one of those stories, we love to tell you, about that saint.
It turns out that back in 1380, King Pedro IV the Ceremonious decided to get a hold of all the assets of the Tarragona Church. But one particular night Santa Tecla appeared in front of the monarch and, according to the legend, she gave him a good slap without any explanations. The thing is that the anger shown by the miraculous appearance had its effect, because, apparently, the king asked his successor in his will to return the stolen ecclesiastical property.
However, do not think that everything in Tarragona is centuries and more centuries old. Take a pleasant walk along the Rambla Nova and go to the Mercado Central if you like the modernist aesthetic. And above all, do not leave the city without looking out over what they call the Balcony of the Mediterranean. Not only it has the reputation of being one of the most beautiful viewpoints in Spain, but you should also touch its cast iron railing while you calmly contemplate the blue of the sea. They say it is good luck to do so, and hey, there is no harm in trying.
