Torre del Pretorio Romana (Roman Praetorium Tower), Tarragona
The Roman Praetorium Tower is situated in one corner of what was once an expansive porticoed plaza, the bustling heart of the provincial forum in Hispania Citerior, one of the grand provinces of the Roman Empire.
The tower, a formidable remnant of the past, has witnessed the evolution of Tarragona through various epochs. Originally part of the provincial forum, it later transformed into the medieval king's castle. Over the centuries, it served as a barracks, a prison, and endured the tests of modern and contemporary times.
As you explore the Torre del Pretorio Romana, you'll discover its integration with the Roman circus vaults and its strategic location within the city's urban fabric. The tower once boasted stairs connecting the lower city to the provincial forum, highlighting its central role in the civic life of ancient Tarraco.
Ascending the tower offers a panoramic spectacle, revealing some of the city's most iconic landmarks. The Roman amphitheater, the sandy shores, the historic Cathedral, the boundless Mediterranean expanse, and the silhouette of the ancient city unfold before your eyes. This vantage point has become a beloved destination for capturing stunning photographs, allowing visitors to glimpse the city's beauty through the lens of history.
Before reaching the upper terrace, a noteworthy stop is the sarcophagus adorned with intricate reliefs. This ancient funerary monument narrates the dramatic Greek myth of Hippolytus, Theseus, and Phaedra on its four sides. It adds a layer of mythological richness to the historical tapestry woven by the Torre del Pretorio Romana.
The tower, a formidable remnant of the past, has witnessed the evolution of Tarragona through various epochs. Originally part of the provincial forum, it later transformed into the medieval king's castle. Over the centuries, it served as a barracks, a prison, and endured the tests of modern and contemporary times.
As you explore the Torre del Pretorio Romana, you'll discover its integration with the Roman circus vaults and its strategic location within the city's urban fabric. The tower once boasted stairs connecting the lower city to the provincial forum, highlighting its central role in the civic life of ancient Tarraco.
Ascending the tower offers a panoramic spectacle, revealing some of the city's most iconic landmarks. The Roman amphitheater, the sandy shores, the historic Cathedral, the boundless Mediterranean expanse, and the silhouette of the ancient city unfold before your eyes. This vantage point has become a beloved destination for capturing stunning photographs, allowing visitors to glimpse the city's beauty through the lens of history.
Before reaching the upper terrace, a noteworthy stop is the sarcophagus adorned with intricate reliefs. This ancient funerary monument narrates the dramatic Greek myth of Hippolytus, Theseus, and Phaedra on its four sides. It adds a layer of mythological richness to the historical tapestry woven by the Torre del Pretorio Romana.
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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Torre del Pretorio Romana (Roman Praetorium Tower) on Map
Sight Name: Torre del Pretorio Romana (Roman Praetorium Tower)
Sight Location: Tarragona, Spain (See walking tours in Tarragona)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
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
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.
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
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
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
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