go to SALOU (some 15 km from...
by Janina_B.
go to SALOU (some 15 km from Tarragona) to see what the famous COSTA DORADA is all about. Salou is the most lively resort on the Costa Dorada. The coastline is mainly flat, with shallow waters and the long beaches of golden sand from which it takes its name.
If you are already there don't miss a visit in PORT AVENTURA - Spain's first Thematic Park - where you will get to know five different cultures: Mediterrania, Mexico, Polynesia, China and the Far West. It is a VT World in a miniature ;-)
Passeig Arqueologic - View over the Roman Circus.
by Jerelis
We kept on hiking and even saw the Catedral (Cathedral) rising over the Old City walls. We also had a stop at a corner tower where the walls were refortified with fallen Roman-era carvings during the pre-Moorish period. Most experts now believe that around 150 / 125 BC the wall was considerably enlarged in length, height and width, being extended to surround the entire settlement as far as the port. From that time on it served not only a defensive purpose, but also defined the urban area. This second phase wall had a lower megalithic base, between 1,5 and 2 metres high (one of two rows of stone), which was built up with ashlars that formed compartments.
On the other side of the Old Town from Portal del Roser, at the point where the old walls end, we finally arrived at ´our` reconstructed medieval tower. Jihaaa, we were there! Right at that spot we had some excellent views over the remains of the Roman Circus. So whenever you´re in Tarragona and you´re in need of a walk with historical magnificance, remember the Passeig Arqueologic we just bounced at by accident. Have a look at Tarragona Packing List.
El Mèdol - It's like a huge crater.
by Jerelis
I did hike around for quite some time and I just tried to imagine how many people must have worked here (at the same time) and how they must have chopped the stone out and transported it to the city. The first thing I noticed was the huge monolithic block in the centre, indicating the original height of the rock. Amazing! El Mèdol is like a huge crater, some 200 metres long and between 10 and 40 metres, excavated over a long period of quarrying during Roman times. Like I already said before, at its centre is a needle of rock which has been left unecavated. I stood right next to it and it gave a true feeling of the enormous work that has been in progress here a long time ago.
The stone from El Mèdol is a golden-yellow coloured Miocen 'lumaquela'. It's very easy to work and was used on a large number of Tarraco's most important buildings. It is also thought that the quarry was already used in medieval times. The stone blocks were transported to the city along Via Herculea, later known as Via Augusta. The last incredible fact I learned was that approximately 50,000 cubic metres of rock were cut from the quarry.
Directions:
Coming from the A-7 motorway, stop at the service area. Follow the sign for over 1 kilometer and stay at the historical Via Augusta.
The Cathedral
by mikey_e
The Cathedral is a fina example of an architectural style that stradles two different philosophies. It is a transition from the Romanesque to Gothic forms of construction, and dominates both the Plaça de la Seu and Carrer Major, which runs up to the elevated Cathedral. The massive doors are topped by a large cross and some spectacular rose windows (and the entrance way makes a perfect setting for picture taking). You can only enter the Cathedral through its front doors during religious services; otherwise, you must enter through the cloisters, which are located beside the Cathedral itself.
PORT AVENTURA
by trotador
Port Aventura is located very close to Salou. This amusement park is full of attractions, roller coasters, etc... The worst thing are the restaurants. If you like Mexican food do not try the cantina. It is really, really BAD.
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The Ramblas
Tha Cathedral, Tarragona
Amfiteatre Romà
The ticket we received.
