Top 10 Tourist Attractions Barcelona 2024 - Top Ten Barcelona Things to to
Pictures Barcelona beaches
Photos gothic quarter Barcelona
Pictures Costa Brava beaches and coast in Spain
Pictures Montserrat mountain Barcelona
Pictures Casa Mila - La Pedrera by Gaudi
Pictures Magic Fountain Barcelona
Pictures Park Guell Barcelona
Pictures Sitges Spain
Pictures Santa Maria del Mar church
Pictures Tarragona Spain near Barcelona. Roman ruins Tarragona
Pictures Andorra and Pyrenees Mountains
Barcino. Pictures Roman city Barcelona - Roman walls
Pictures Palau Guell house Barcelona
Pictures Girona Spain - What to see in Girona?
Pictures Mercè Festival Barcelona
Pictures Festa Major de Gracia
Pictures Wine Tours Barcelona. Torres Winery near Barcelona
Luxury beach Hotel W Barcelona 'La Vela'
Pictures La Sagrada Familia church 2023
Arenas de Barcelona mall shopping center
Pictures Casa Batllo
Pictures Barcelona cable car
Forest fires. Smoke in air in Barcelona
Pictures sardanes dancing Barcelona
Pictures Camp Nou stadium & FC Barcelona museum
Pictures La Feria de Abril Barcelona - photo gallery
Pictures Easter Barcelona - Semana Santa
Pictures Sant Jordi's day Barcelona
Pictures Masella ski resort
Pictures Christmas Barcelona
Aerial photos of Barcelona
Pictures Tres Tombs Sant Antoni
Pictures Barcelona Rose Festival
Pictures dancing egg Corpus Christi
Pictures Sitges Flower Carpet Festival
Miniature Catalunya Park
Pictures Sant Medir Festival Barcelona
Pictures Parc de la Ciutadella
Pictures Horta Labyrinth Park
Barcelona Airport Flight Arrivals Live information 2024
Pictures Gaudi Crypt Colonia Güell
Pictures Gaudi House museum in Park Güell
Olympic diving swimming pool Montjuic
Pictures Montjuic Castle
Pictures Montjuic hill
Photos Eixample area Barcelona
Pictures Cursa de Bombers Barcelona 10k
Things to do Port Vell marina Barcelona
Pictures Diagonal Mar area
Pictures Poblenou area Barcelona
Barcelona climbing walls
Pictures Tibidabo hill Barcelona
Barcelona - old photos & postcards and videos
Pictures Tarragona Spain near Barcelona. Roman ruins Tarragona

Pictures Tarragona Spain near Barcelona


Updated January 2024

Tarragona near Barcelona. Pictures and information about the lovely city of Tarragona which is just 1 hour south of Barcelona by car or train. Tarragona is the capital of the present Spanish province of the same name and the capital of the Catalan comarca (county) Tarragonès.

In Roman times Tarragona was the most important city in Hispania and famed for its climate and beauty. The Roman name for Tarragona was Tarraco. Tarraco was founded in the 1st century BC and is the oldest Roman settlement on the Iberian Peninsula and the oldest walled Roman city outside Italy.

The city was established on the site of an Iberian settlement shortly after the Roman army landed on the Iberian Peninsula in 218 BC during the Second Punic War which was fought between the Romans and Carthaginians over control of the western Mediterranean Sea. Tarraco became the capital of Roman province Hispania Citerior and later of the province Hispania Tarraconensis.

 The full Latin name was Colonia Iulia Urbs Triumphalis Tarraco. Colonia Iulia: "Colonia" indicates that Tarraco was a Roman colony. "Iulia" is likely a reference to the Julian family, particularly associated with Julius Caesar. It signifies the city's connection to the Julian gens, indicating its foundation or development during the time of Julius Caesar or his successors. Urbs Triumphalis: "Urbs" means city, and "Triumphalis" suggests a connection to triumph, a significant ceremonial event in ancient Rome. The inclusion of "Triumphalis" in the name might highlight the city's historical or military significance, possibly linked to a military triumph or victories associated with the city.

So, "Colonia Iulia Urbs Triumphalis Tarraco" essentially emphasizes Tarraco's Roman colony status, its association with the Julian family, and its historical and possibly military importance, as implied by the term "Triumphalis."Tarraco received the name "Colonia Iulia Urbs Triumphalis Tarraco" during the reign of Emperor Augustus. The city became a Roman colony in the early 1st century BCE, around 45 BCE, and it was subsequently granted the status of Colonia by Augustus in the late 1st century BCE. Tarraco, as "Colonia Iulia Urbs Triumphalis Tarraco," played a crucial role in the Roman province of Hispania and served as an important administrative, military, and cultural center in the region.

Roman Emperors in Tarragona

Roman emperor Augustus stayed in Tarraco to recuperate from illness after the Cantabrian and Asturian wars in 26-25 B.C. which were the final wars to completely conquer the Iberian penisular. Roman emperor Hadrian spent the winter of 122/123 in Tarraco, where he restored the Temple of Augustus before crossing the Mediterranean into Mauretania in North Africa.

Day tour Barcelona to Tarragona

720x400_photos_tarragona_beach

The Roman imperial city was called Tarraco There are many impressive Roman ruins in Tarragona, including the Roman amphitheatre, Roman circus, Roman walls, and a Roman aqueduct outside the city. The Roman ruins of Tarraco are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

720x400_tarraco_roman_amphitheatre


The Amphitheatre of Tarragona is right on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea by çPlatja del Miracleç beach.  Every year in May Tarragona organises a wonderful Roman festival called Tarraco Viva during which you can see re-enactments of gladiator fights in the amphitheatre

720x400_tarragona_roman_amphitheatre


La Platja del Miracle beach

tarragona_playa_miracle


Tarragona's Roman aqueduct known as El Pont del Diable which means -The Devil's bridgeç

720x400_tarragona_roman_aqueduct


Tarragona has a quaint Gothic quarter located in the former Roman high area of Tarraco.

720x400_tarragona_ciutat_vella


Tarragona Cathedral. The cathedral is on the fomer site of the Roman Temple of Augustus. There is an admission fee to see the Cathedral, cloister and Diocesan museum.

720x400_photos_tarragona_cathedral2


Tarragona cathedral cloister

720x400_photos_tarragona_cathedral_arches

Tarragona cathedral cloister gardens

720x400_photos_tarragona_cathedral_cloister

Roman walls Tarragona

720x400_tarraco_roman_muralla_walls

Many shops in old part of Tarragona close during lunch hours

siesta_time_tarragona

El Monument als castellers - human towers monument in Tarragona on Ramba Nova by Catalan sculptor Francesc Anglès i Garcia. The castellers tower formation in the sculpture is a 4 x8. It was unveiled on  29th May 1999. Among the faces in the piña bottom section (pineapple) are artists Pablo Picasso and Joan Miró.

Well preserved remnants of Roman circus at Tarragona

720x400_photos_tarragona_circus_ruins


Replica of "Augusto di Prima Porta" statue, The orginal was discovered on April 20, 1863 in the Villa of Livia at Prima Porta, near Rome. This replica is on the Archaeological walk by the Roman walls. It was a gift to Tarragona from Italian dictator Mussolini and arrived in 1934 on the Italian ship 'Vedri' and was received with honours by Tarragona citizens headed by mayor Pere Lloret.

In 27 BC emperor Augustus took up residence in Tarragona to direct his military campaigns against the tribes of Cantabria and Asturias: Due to poor health he stayed in Tarraco which became the de facto capital of the Roman empire for a while. In 15 AD a temple was erected in his honour.

720x400_tarraco_roman_statue

The medieval part of Tarragona has many partial Roman ruins.

720x400_tarraco_roman_ruins

Gecko in Tarragona's Miracle park

tarragona_gecko


Visit Tarragona's Roman past on a wonderful Day Tour to Tarragona




© Copyright Barcelonayellow.com.
Do not copy from this page without permission
All rights reserved
Last Updated on Friday, 19 January 2024 16:30
 
Related articles:

Saturday, 23 November 2024


Barcelona Tours
BarcelonaYellow Home
Hotels & hostels
Holiday apartments
Things to do in Barcelona
Restaurant guide
Nightlife - clubs & bars
Tickets & tours shop
Maps & travel planners
Events & exhibitions
Airports & transport
Shops & shopping
Schools & classes
Pictures of Barcelona
Employment & jobs
Property & long term rentals
Beaches, parks & gardens
Fitness & wellness
VO cinemas Barcelona
Sports & adventure sports
Community