| 
|
Just one hour south of Barcelona lies the city of Tarragona. Like its northern neighbour, it boasts a distinguished past - as early as 218 BC it became the capital of the Spanish Roman Empire and the area became the scene of many heroic battles between the Romans and the Carthaginians under Hannibal. Soon after the fall of the Roman Empire, Tarragona became the seat of the Christian Church in Spain, before being superseded by Toledo in the 11th century.
Despite its large port, Tarragona has a peaceful, sophisticated atmosphere. Indeed, it is a vibrant cultural centre, with several excellent museums. Not surprisingly, the main attractions however are the Roman ruins, with many fine examples dotted around the city, especially the amphitheatre and the famous 'Circus Maximus', the arena in which chariot races were performed in from of up to 23,000 spectators.
Heading down the coast, you'll find some fine beaches in Salou and Cambrils. In summer, these resorts are teeming with holidaymakers, here to enjoy the Costa Dorada's fine sandy beaches, bright blue ocean and warm hospitality. Cambrils, also a fishing village, is the more charming of the two.
Crossing the mountains of Balaguer you reach the Delta de l'Elbe, a plain of approximately 500 square km that continues down to the sea. Apart from the cultivation of rice, the area is also home to a world famous nature reserve, visited by over 60% of Europe's bird species that feed on the thriving aquatic life here.
Just before you cross into the region of Valencia, take the time to visit Tortosa, a historic town, that was the scene of one of the Civil War's bloodiest battles, in which tens of thousands of soldiers (mostly Republicans) lost their lives. Further inland in the province of Tarragona, two other places definitely worth a stop at are Montblanc, a medieval walled town, and the Monastery of Poblet, where the ancient kings of Aragón and Catalunya lie buried. The most striking feature of this 12th century Cistercian monastery, however, is its location - standing alone in the vast landscape, it's a dramatic sight.
Tarragona coast is known as "Costa del Azahar". |
|
|
