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Tarragona is the capital of the province of Tarragona (Catalonia, Spain). It has a population of 140,323 inhabitants. It is located 100 km south of Barcelona.
The industrial sector (in particular the chemical and petro-chemical) and
services (particularly tourism) are the economic pillars of Tarragona,
the second area of economic development in Catalonia, only behind Barcelona. In
recent years Tarragona has positioned itself as a major international
exhibition and conference center.
Tarragona City Council
The service sector accounts for 60 percent of provincial GDP,
employs 50,000 workers and generates 4,000 million Euros. "Port Aventura" in Salou
is one of the most important thematic parks in the world.
Tarragona Exhibition Center (Source: Palacio de Congresos)
Food industry. In the province of Tarragona there are important food companies. The
“Priorat wine” or olive oil, are considered some of the best in the world.
The Port of Tarragona is one of the largest in the Mediterranean.
Tarragona also has High Speed Train (AVE, 2 hours from Madrid) and Reus Airport.
Besides the cultural richness, Tarragona has one of the most beautiful and clean
beaches in the world. A few minutes from downtown, we can find beaches like
Waikiki or “Playa Larga” (Long Beach). Oddly enough, beaches are almost deserted
and without buildings.
Waikiki
Castellers. These human towers are been doing in the region for over 200
years. In 2010, "Els castells" were declared Intangible Cultural Heritage of
Humanity by UNESCO.
Castells are human towers built by members of amateur groups, usually as part of
annual festivities in Catalonian towns and cities. The traditional setting is
the square in front of the town hall balcony. The human towers are formed by
castellers standing on the shoulders of one another in a succession of stages
(between six and ten). Each level of the tronc, the name given to the second
level upwards, generally comprises two to five heavier built men supporting
younger, lighter-weight boys or girls.
The pom de dalt – the three uppermost levels of the tower – comprises young
children. Anyone is welcome to form the pinya, the throng that supports the base
of the tower. Each group can be identified by its costume, particularly the
colour of the shirts, while the cummerbund serves to protect the back and is
gripped by castellers as they climb up the tower. Before, during and after the
performance, musicians play a variety of traditional melodies on a wind
instrument known as a gralla, setting the rhythm to which the tower is built.
The knowledge required for raising castells is traditionally passed down from
generation to generation within a group, and can only be learned by practice.
(Source: UNESCO)
In India we can find a similar tradition.
Castells competition, Tarragona 2010
In Reus, near Tarragona is the Gaudí Centre, dedicated to the great architect Antoni Gaudí.
(Source: Gaudí Centre Reus)
Tarragona is very near of the Centre Miró (Mont-Roig) dedicated to the illustrious
painter Joan Miró.
(Source: Centro Miró)
You can also visit the Pau Casals Foundation (El Vendrell), dedicated to
the famous Catalan cellist and composer.
(Source: Fundación Pau Casals)
Tarragona has important museums: National Archaeological Museum, Museum
of Modern Art, the Diocesan Museum of Tarragona, Early Christian Necropolis
Museum of Tarragona
Casa Castellarnau (Foto: Museu d'Història de Tarragona)
Casa Canals (Foto: Museu d'Història de Tarragona)
The large number of fiestas and popular traditions reaffirm that it is an
open, participative town, whose inhabitants identify with the popular culture of
the region. There are two dates in honour of the city’s two patrons: Saint Magín,
on 19th August, and especially, Saint Tecla, the Major Feast, with celebrations
lasting from 15th to 24th September and which attract all of the townsfolk out
into the streets with a host of musical, folkloric, theatrical, gastronomic,
pyrotechnic and children’s events.. In addition, it organizes "Tarraco Viva", a
festival dedicated to the city's Roman past.
Tarragona Aliga
(Source: Turisme Tarragona)
Major athletes are born in Tarragona: Albert Cabestany won the World Cup
Indoor Trial. Natalia Rodriguez was second in the world championships. Óscar
Cadiach, a renowned climber who has done eight peaks of 8,000 metres. Tarragona
also has the Nastic, football club, and the Basketball Club of Tarragona.
(Source: Trial Indoor Tarragona)
Natural areas. The Natural Park of Delta del Ebro, Benifallet caves or Sierra
del Montsant are other attractions in the province.
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