Tarraco, present-day Tarragona, was one of the most important cities in Roman Hispania. Founded as the base of a military encampment in the 3rd century BC during the Second Punic War, it soon became the capital of the province of Hispania Citerior and, later, of the province of Tarragona, a key center of administration, trade, and culture.
One of its most notable moments was the reign of Emperor Augustus between 26 and 25 BC, from where he ruled the Empire. This event prompted the monumentalization of the city, giving it an imperial character.
Visiting Roman Tarragona is a unique experience to live firsthand the legacy of the Empire in Hispania. Curious and want to learn more about this beautiful site? We’ll tell you more below.
Origin of Tarraco: Roman camp
As we have mentioned before, the origin of Tarraco dates back to the 3rd century BC, during the Second Punic War (218-201 BC), when it was set up as a Roman military camp established in 218 BC by the generals Cneo and Publius Cornelius Scipio, who used it as a strategic base in the fight against the Carthaginians in the Iberian Peninsula.
Thanks to its coastal location, Tarraco allowed Rome to receive reinforcements and supplies from Italy. Over time, the camp became a stable settlement and a center of operations for the conquest of various parts of Hispania.
After the Roman victory, Tarraco began to develop as a city, and buildings were built to meet the needs of its people.
Archaeological work is never finished, but it is true that today we can admire and enjoy the ruins of some of those buildings, thanks to the restoration and conservation efforts carried out.
Among its most notable monuments are:
- Forum. It was the political and religious heart of the city. Divided into the Provincial Forum, seat of the provincial government, and the Colonial Forum, where commercial and judicial activities were carried out.
- Amphitheater. Built in the 2nd century AD by the sea, it hosted gladiator shows and public executions. Inside are the remains of a Visigothic basilica erected centuries later.
- Circus. Designed for chariot racing, it was one of the largest in the Roman Empire. Its structure was integrated into the medieval city, and parts of its stands and underground passages can still be seen.
- Aqueduct. Known as the Devil’s Bridge, it carried water to the city from the Francolí River. It remains in excellent condition today and is a testament to Roman ingenuity in hydraulic engineering.
- Commercial port. Thanks to its strategic location, Tarraco was a key trading point in the Mediterranean. Products such as wine, oil, and metals were exported from its port, boosting the region’s economy.
The Imprint of Rome in Hispania
During the period in which Tarraco was established as one of the main cities of Hispania, there were other Roman enclaves of great importance on the peninsula.
Some of the most notable were:
- Emerita Augusta -Mérida-: Founded in 25 BC by order of Emperor Augustus.
- Corduba -Córdoba-: Important economic and cultural center.
- Hispalis -Sevilla-: Basic commercial port in the Guadalquivir Valley, it facilitated trade with the Mediterranean and the Atlantic.
- Caesaraugusta -Zaragoza-: Founded by Augustus in 14 BC.
- Carthago Nova -Cartagena-: Of Carthaginian origin, it was conquered by the Romans in 209 BC and became a strategic military and commercial port.
- Segóbriga -Cuenca-: City with great economic development due to the exploitation of lapis specularis mines, a translucent plaster used in construction.
- Lucus Augusti -Lugo-: founded in 13 BC.
Each of these cities played a fundamental role in the Romanization of Hispania, leaving a legacy that can still be visited today.
Exploring present-day Tarragona in person is an opportunity to connect with the past and understand the Roman influence on culture, urban planning, and engineering, in an environment where history lives on in its streets and monuments.
Today, the archaeological remains of Tarraco have been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, making it an essential destination for those who want to explore the Roman legacy on the Iberian Peninsula.
To learn all about Roman Tarragona, before exploring it, come to the TimePort Tarragona visitor center, book your ticket, and immerse yourself in this city’s past.
