Colonia Iulia Urbs Triumphalis Tarraconensis (Tarragona) |
Pieces of pottery from the 5th century BC point out the existence of a first small settlement in Tarragona. In the year 218 BC, at the beginning the 2nd Punic war, a small garrison was set up in the port of Tarragona. It was reinforced in the year 217 and the city became an important winter camp.
In the year 197
BC the Romans established the provinces Hispania citerior and Hispania ulterior on the Iberian Peninsula.
For lack of information the precise status of Tarragona at this time is not known.
The city is, however, mentioned as military basis and winter quarter. Furthermore
were minted coins of bronze with the Iberian legend Kesse from the 2nd century
BC.
After the
reorganization of the Spanish provinces in the year 27 BC (new three provinces: Baetica, Tarraconensis and Lusitania) Tarragona
became capital of the province Tarraconensis. The city was now a colony with the
name Colonia Iulia Urbs Triumphalis Tarraconensis. Furthermore the city was seat of a conventus
(court district).
In the year AD 260 the city was sacked by the Franks. In the year 284 was the administration reform of Gaius Aurelius Valerius Diocletianus, which resulted in territory losses for the province. Tarrgona stayed however province capital.
After the invasion in Spain of the Suebi, Vandals and Alans in the year AD 409 the usurper Maximus was appointed to the Augustus diocesis hispanorum with seat in Tarragona.
In the year AD 476 Tarragona was a part of the Visigoth empire.
Today important remains
of the roman Tarragona are to see: amphitheater, theater (few rests), circus, provincial forum,
local forum, city wall and Necropolis. In the environment are two villas (Centcelles and Dels Munts), an aqueduct, a quarry, a triumphal arch and a tomb to see.
Business hours: In the summer time most buildings are opened from 9.00 or 10.00 o'clock until 14.00 o'clock. In the afternoon from 16.00 o'clock. On Sunday is mostly only until 14.00 o'clock opened. On Monday is closed. The remaining season is mostly a little more shortly open.