Ancient Roman amphitheatre in Tarragona reopens to the public
Restoration works on historic monument not yet complete but safe for public visits against almost two years later
Tarragona City Council has reopened the ancient Roman amphitheatre to the public after being closed for almost two years.
The magnificent site is one of the various ancient ruins left of the Roman city of Tarraco, along with typical Roman walls, a Circus Maximus, a Forum, a Visigoth basilica and a Romanesque church, and much more.
The oval amphitheatre overlooks the Mediterranean Sea and dates back to the second century AD. In its day, 14,000 spectators could be packed into the arena, where they would watch fights between gladiators, wild beasts, and public executions.
Grouped together, the remnants of the ancient empire are considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
This Wednesday visitors have been able to step back inside the monument and feel the history once again.
The city's heritage councilor, Hermán Pinedo, explained that the improvement work on the monument has not yet been completed, however it is already safe to visit it.
Some rocks in the bleachers that posed a danger if they fell have been fixed.
However, in the coming weeks there will be another phase of restoration works that will further strengthen the structures. For now, access to the bleachers is still closed.
Ancient Roman Tarraco
The ancient city of Tarraco, now modern-day Tarragona, was the first settlement of the Romans on the Iberian Peninsula and was quickly established as a major administrative and economic hub of the empire.
A mercantile city, Tarraco was adorned with many majestic buildings that still stand in excellently preserved condition today. The city was also a strategic military base for the Roman army fighting off the threat of the Carthaginian forces coming from the south.
The Archaeological Ensemble of Tarraco was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000.