The Roman circus (Circ romà) and the Tower of the nuns (Torre de les Monges)


Plaza de la Font ( on the map), here is my new residence - hostal Noria. The place is very convenient, practically it is already the old town. The bus station is a 15-minute walk away. The hotel has a restaurant that is open from early morning until late at night, there is a Russian-speaking staff. The room is quite comfortable.

Tarragona. Place De La Font. Plaça de la Font

All that remains of the huge Roman circus (Circa romà on the map). The current square De La Font occupies only a third of the arena of the ancient structure. Circus Tarraco was intended for chariot races - "bigas" (a pair of horses), or "Quadriga" (four), sometimes there were also theatrical performances.

Tarragona. Roman circus. Circ romà

The structure was built during the reign of Domitian, at the end of the first century ad. The building had an impressive size - 325 meters long and 100-115 meters wide.On the West side were the holding rooms for wild animals, which had entrances to the arena. Now the city administration building is located on this site. According to research, the structure performed its functions until the 5th century ad, then it was abandoned and partially dismantled for materials for new buildings. Now on the foundations of the stands stand buildings surrounding the place De La Font.

Tarragona. Roman circus. Circ romà

The ruins of the circus were included in the UNESCO world heritage list in Spain in 2000.

Tarragona. Roman circus. Circ romà

Roman structures served as the basis for the medieval city fortifications ofMuralleta, from which the corner part of the wall with the tower of the Nuns (Torre de les Monges on the map) has been preserved. The construction of the city walls was carried out in the 14th century, the octagonal corner tower with a height of 18 meters was completed in 1370. In total, three similar towers were built. The tower got its name from a nearby monastery.

Tarragona. The nuns ' tower. Torre de les Monges.Tarragona