The Second Oldest City of Catalonia

Tarragona is located on the Mediterranean coast. The Romans built a walled city. In 1717, Tarragona was name the capital of the Corregiment. It is the main city on the Costa Dorada. A part from its commercial function, the Tarragona Port is and has been a fishing port. Recently, the fishing port of Tarragona has become the most important in Catalonia, with more than 16 million euros turnover a year.

It is the second oldest city of Catalonia and once the home of Julius Caesar.

The Tarragona Port has 12-15 bars and clubs on the lower level of the board walk along the port and beach area. Rambla Nova contains a handful of sleepy-looking bars, any of which might serve a cup of coffee or bottle of beer through out the evening. For music lovers, some bars feature live jazz.

Tarragona has a wide range of shops, and markets selling a wide range of merchandise. Parc Central has over one hundred stores, featuring items ranging from apparel to Tarragona-related cultural souvenir items. Its central section is an all-pedestrian zone. The historic Part Alta district is noted for its antique shops and art galleries.

The beaches are visited by millions of people from all over Europe every year. The Arabassada Beach is one of Tarragona s most popular beaches. Volleyball nets are available and put in place at the rear part of the beach throughout the summer months. The sand is fine, the water is crystal clear.

The City Gate is an ancient walls which has two gates, one on the western side of the city, the Roman-style Portal del Roser and the more classical-style Portal de Saint Antonio on the Eastern side.

Amfiteatre Roma is located at the seaside built by the Romans in the 2nd century AD, the arena held 23,000 spectators gathered here for popular spectacles, such as fights between gladiators and wild animals. In the year 259 AD the Bishop of Tarraco St. Fructuosus and his deacons were martyred in the arena of the amphitheatre. Part of the seating area remains intact along with massive underground tunnels.

Tarragona's cathedral is perched at the very top of the old quarter. Architecturally it is a mishmash of gothic and Romanesque and is built on the site of an early Roman temple. Inside it is a huge vaulted, pillared space with shafts of light filtering down from the stunning rose window over the main entrance.

Douglas Scott writes for The Car Hire Specialist. and is a free lance writer for The Tarragona Rental Site