Many-faced Spain. Tarragona and its attractions

The city of Tarragona (Spain) is an ancient Catalan cultural center located in the north-east of the country. Its ancient and medieval monuments, wonderful beaches of the Costa Dorada with crystal clear waters and lively shopping areas attract tourists from all over the world. The city is listed as a UNESCO heritage site, since it has long played a huge role in the trade and infrastructure of the Roman Empire, which included Spain. Tarragona and its attractions are primarily huge ancient ruins, as well as medieval architecture, which is a unique mixture of Arabic, Roman and Gothic art.

In ancient times, the city was the center of the eponymous Roman province. In the Middle Ages, it was owned by King Jaime First, who went from here to conquer Mallorca. In later times, close proximity to the sea, which was formerly a blessing, turned into a curse: pirates robbed all the seaside towns and villages. But in the twentieth century, everything changed. The flowering of tourism began, than Spain used. Tarragona with its golden beaches and antiquities has become extremely fashionable among holidaymakers. Among the archaeological sites that are examined in the first place, you can name the Forum, the tower of Scipio with two gates, as well as an amphitheater. All these buildings have survived so well in their complex that they can represent a kind of example of how the Romans built and planned their capital cities. The arena of the amphitheater is marked by a very interesting sign. In memory of the Christians killed there, a special stela is placed, which speaks about freedom of conscience and human rights.

The local people like to repeat that Catalonia is not Spain. Tarragona can serve as an illustration to this saying. Unlike the baroque Spanish temples with their love for embellishment of suffering, the Cathedral of the city is a strict art of the Roman times with a gothic note of stained glass. The carved altar of Saint Fekla, executed in the fifteenth century, is also admirable. The information center for tourists is on the first floor of the medieval town hall, and the city council itself is on the site of the former monastery. In his court there is also the mausoleum of King Jaime, who is proud of the whole of Spain. Tarragona also opened for visitors many museums of both ancient and modern art.

But to visit this city and not to luxuriate on at least one of its beaches, occupying almost tens of kilometers of the coast - just a crime against yourself. They can be wide sand and narrow pebble, stretch near the ancient ruins and hide among the rocks and cliffs, overgrown with evergreen pine trees. Some are easily accessible by bus, others require a walk through the picturesque forest. Well, after visiting the antiquities and swimming, you can see more modern streets - Rambla Nova, for example, or the Mediterranean Balcony - the area from which you can see the whole city and the ruins of the amphitheater. Like the whole of Spain, Tarragona, whose map you need to not miss the most famous monuments, also celebrates the days of national culture. This happens in the autumn. If you get here just at this time, then consider that you are lucky. Foreigners (if they show a passport) are allowed to inspect all architectural and archaeological sites for free.