World Heritage Cities in Spain

TARRAGONA Discover the goddess who protect- ed the gladiators in the Tarragona National Archaeological Museum , feel the sea breeze as you look out from the Balcón del Mediterráneo and enjoy a stroll through the streets and alleyways of the historical old town. In Tarragona there is so much to choose from. In its streets, squares and buildings, an- cient Tarraco has some of the best-pre- served remains of ancient Rome in the Iberian peninsular. The historical old town of the ancient capital of Hispania is surrounded by a great 2nd century BC wall , alongside which there is an Archaeological Walkway that will take you far back in time in a hospitable city which is open to the sea. The Roman tour starts in the walkway itself and at the Tarragona Museum of History , then along the Rambla Vella towards the Vía Augusta . This leads to the lower part of the city where you'll find the spectacular Roman amphithe- atre , from where you'll have wonderful picture postcard views of the sea and the city. The Tarraco Circus is in the upper part of the city. Some of the vaults that sup- ported the grandstands have been pre- served as have the pillars of numerous building, and this leads to such iconic places as the Plaza de la Font , full of terraces and with a fantastic atmos- phere both day and night. This square is dominated by the Town Hall and is a good spot for watching the castells (human towers) at certain times like the Festival of Santa Tecla , which takes place in September.

WORLD HERITAGE CITIES

32

_ _ FESTIVAL OF SANTA TECLA

Photo: World Heritage Cities