Culture THE LATE ROMAN TIMES

Can you imagine becoming a gladiator and facing the wildest beasts on the sand of a Roman amphitheatre? Or even better, do you feel the wheels of the cars skidding to win the race, while the audience chants the names of the participants? Although you have to do an exercise of imagination, scenes like this happened more than 2000 years ago in Tarragona. The Romans arrived in the area in 200 BC and founded Tarraco. If you take a stroll through this UNESCO World Heritage City, you can touch the remains of the wall and contemplate the amphitheatre - the great entertainment centre of the city - that overlooks the Mediterranean Sea, or the Forum, which was the meeting point of local elites. But if the Romans were known for anything, it was for the logistics, as they built two aqueducts that brought water to the city. In addition, if you want to enjoy in the 21st century of this time, do not miss the Tarraco Viva Festival, which takes place every May in Tarragona.

Did you know?

• Tarragona was the first Roman city of the Peninsula. The first Roman settlement in the area was a military camp that was aimed at securing the conquest of the Iberian Peninsula. Little by little, this military settlement became a city.
• If you want to enjoy in the 21st century of this time, do not miss the Tarraco Viva Festival, which takes place every May in Tarragona and the Tarragona Història Viva cycle If you want to enjoy in the 21st century of this time, do not miss the Tarraco Viva Festival, which takes place every May in Tarragona and the Tarragona Història Viva cycle, which Which proposes rediscovering different spaces of the city through shows recreating the past, between the months of July and September.
• Do you want to descend into the bowels of the city? The `Cova Urbana´ (Urban Cavern) is a cave accidentally discovered a little more than two decades ago at number 32 of Gasòmetre Street in Tarragona. You can dive into it to know its tunnels and catwalks. A real adventure that must be faced well prepared!