Muralles Romanes de Tarragona (Roman Walls of Tarragona), Tarragona

Muralles Romanes de Tarragona (Roman Walls of Tarragona), Tarragona

Declared a Cultural Heritage Asset in 1884, the Roman Walls of Tarragona are an invaluable heritage site. Constructed in the 2nd century BC, the Roman wall played a pivotal role in the early development of Tarraco. Initially spanning approximately 3,500 meters, only about one kilometer of the original wall remains preserved in the present-day old city. This makes it one of the oldest Roman constructions outside of Italy.

The primitive military settlement that gave rise to Tarraco saw the initial construction of a simple wooden stake wall. However, with the city evolving into a strategic Roman stronghold, reinforcements arrived from Rome, prompting the need for stronger defenses. Between 217 and 197 BC, the first stone wall was erected, featuring Cyclopean locks reinforced with towers at vulnerable points. Towers such as the Archbishop, Capital, and Minerva bear witness to this early phase.

Around 150 to 125 BC, the wall underwent significant transformations, expanding in length, height, and width to encompass the entire city, including the port. Beyond a defensive structure, the wall became a defining element of the urban space during this period. The second-phase wall featured a megalithic base, 1.5 to 2 meters high, supporting ashlar facings forming compartments.

The Archaeological Promenade meanders through both the ancient Roman and contemporary curtain walls, adorned with tranquil gardens, evocative poetry, and informative historical insights.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Tarragona. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Muralles Romanes de Tarragona (Roman Walls of Tarragona) on Map

Sight Name: Muralles Romanes de Tarragona (Roman Walls of Tarragona)
Sight Location: Tarragona, Spain (See walking tours in Tarragona)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Tarragona, Spain

Create Your Own Walk in Tarragona

Create Your Own Walk in Tarragona

Creating your own self-guided walk in Tarragona is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Tarragona Introduction Walking Tour

Tarragona Introduction Walking Tour

Nestled in the southern part of Catalonia, Spain, Tarragona is a coastal city boasting an abundance of ancient Roman ruins, rolling mountains, and magnificent beaches.

Shrouded in myth and mystery, Tarragona carries a name whose origins remain debated—linked to figures like Tarraho or Tearcon the Ethiopian, a seventh-century BC pharaoh. Its true founding date is also obscured in time.

...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
Roman Ruins Walking Tour

Roman Ruins Walking Tour

The city of Tarraco, the capital of the Hispania Tarraconensis province, held significant prominence within the vast Roman Empire. The remnants of those days, concentrated in the heart of Tarragona, are the pivotal historical sites that contribute to its UNESCO World Heritage status.

Indeed, the city's acclaim largely stems from its Roman ruins, notably the 2nd-century AD Roman...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.9 Km or 1.8 Miles