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Published: September 5th 2009
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Ola,
I arrived in Tarragona around 830 or so, and not much was open yet. The city was founded in 217 BC by the Romans, and it was one of the most significant Roman cities in Spain.
I wandered over to the Forum and took some photos before heading along the waterfront to the well-preserved Amphitheatre. I enjoyed wandering around the site because there was no one there and I had it all to myself. I then walked past some of the Roman walls and up into the tower that used to be part of the Hippodrome where races were held. There were many statues and underground cavers that had been present in the structure and it was quite atmospheric. I had purchased a multiple entry ticket which got me into 6 sites for 5 euros so I continued along to try and visit each of those sites. I went to the Archaeological Museum next, and that was incredible. There were many pictures of what the city used to look like, as well as carvings, statues, coins, busts, mosaics and even 2000 year old glass amphoras and jars. The museum contained the most Roman antiquities I had seen since
I was in Rome itself!
I headed to the Roman walls next, and I was able to walk along them and through beautiful, lush gardens. As I was walking along, I cam across a husband and wife and their two kids. I was moving quickly, so the family allowed me to pass. That was everyone except the little girl. She had not seen me coming so when I tried to pass her on the right, she moved to the right. I then went for a pass on the left, which she in turn blocked by moving to the left. One more time I tried for the right but once again, she blocked my path. Her father was in stitches by this time and he told her that someone was trying to get by and then she turned around, looked up at me, and then pretty much ran to her dad to let me pass. The whole situation was quite cute!
I got off the walls and headed to the Cathedral. The building itself was not that impressive, but the cloisters and the chapels surrounding them were beautiful. I really do enjoy the religious architecture in Spain because so
much effort seems to have been put into it.
I headed back to the train station, but not before wandering around the forlorn columns of the Forum and visiting two 500 year old houses that belonged to former wealthy merchants in the city.
I hopped back on the train to Barcelona and the movie playing was “Twilight”. It was in Spanish of course, but I don’t think I really suffered much by not being able to understand a lot of what was being said.
Bye for now,
Peter
Things I learned in Tarragona:
-Things that annoy me in Belgium are far less bothersome in Spain
-The Romans really knew how to build things
-Don’t run to catch a train in direct sunlight at noon in 34 degree weather. It is not a good idea
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