In the middle of our stay in Barcelona we took a side trip to the old Roman town of Tarragona, about an hour away by train. Luckily, the weather mostly cooperated on that day.
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The setting for Tarragona is spectacular, on a half-moon bay. It was easy to see why the Romans chose this place.
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There are extensive Roman ruins in Tarragona, including this unrestored amphitheater built into the hill overlooking the sea. | |
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| The Archaeology Museum has an excellent collection of everyday artifacts, including this mosaic floor. | There was a group of oil lamps, many of which had well-executed decorations--more than one would expect for such a utilitarian item.
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This mosaic is considered to be among the finest in the collection.
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Much of the Roman Forum survives, although it is no longer used for its original commercial purpose. | |
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The Roman Circus would have been a popular place in antiquity, hosting races and gladiatorial games.
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As we prepared to return to Barcelona, the setting sun and modern lights provided dramatic coloring on the ancient buildings. | |
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