Location: Province of Tarragona
Top Things to do in Province of Tarragona
Countries
Top 10 Churches & Cathedrals in Province of Tarragona, Catalonia
Tarragona (Catalan: [tərəˈɣonə], Spanish: [taraˈɣona]) is a province of eastern Spain, in the southern part of the autonomous community of Catalonia. It is bordered by the provinces of Castellón, Teruel, Zaragoza, Lleida, Barcelona, and the Mediterranean Sea.
Restaurants in Province of Tarragona
1. Catedral Basilica Metropolitana Primada de Tarragona
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,605 reviews
The cathedral is dedicated to St Thecla and is erected at the top of the acropolis or hill of the ancient city. Its construction began in the year 1171 and it was consecrated on 4 July 1331. Its foundations and later architectural development are located on the remains of an ancient Roman construction begun in the second quarter of the 1st century bc. and completed at the beginning of the Vespasian Empire (69-79 AD). The Cathedral is gothic in style. Its floor plan is in the form of a Latin cross, with three naves each with their own apses and transept. The head is of Romanesque tradition with half-point arches supporting the extension of the stone wall and pilasters following the new constructive techniques of the Gothic movement.
Reviewed By VadimM67 - Murmansk, Russia
The Cathedral of Tarragona faces the visitors with its facade. You can't get around it and photograph it from different angles like Sagrada Familia or Notre-Dame de Paris. Adjacent houses and walls prevent you from seeing the result of a century and a half of construction. The best way to see the entire Cathedral is to go to Torrellas de Llobregat in the Park Catalunya in miniature. The fact that the Cathedral is located in urban development suggests that it was not built on an empty place. Harshly denouncing paganism, the Christians nevertheless quietly parasitized on his achievements. Originally there was a Roman temple dedicated to Octavian Augustus. Converted to Christianity, the Visigoths built the first Church here in the IV century AD. the Arabs also didn`t invent anything and placed a mosque here. By the way, the Moorish set ceilings were preserved in the Cathedral. It is not known exactly when the Cathedral appeared in its current form. The first mention dates back to the XII century. The facade of the Cathedral is Romano-Gothic. The most interesting thing on the facade, in addition to the traditional Gothic rose, is the figures of the apostles (XIV century). By the way, the rose appeared later, because the Cathedral was originally built as a fortress, so the Windows resembled loopholes and were located high. There was little hope for the power of the word of Christ; the thick walls and powerful buttresses were much more significant. I`ve seen similar fortress churches in Montpellier and Toulouse, which once again speaks of the cultural and historical community of Catalonia and French Languedoc. The Cathedral was completed in 1350. However, this doesn`t mean that the interior is Gothic. Renaissance and Baroque chapels were added to the Cathedral in the XIV-XVIII centuries. The main masterpiece inside is a 15th-century altar by Pere Johan, whose bas-reliefs depict the life of Saint Thecla, patroness of Tarragona. In addition to the altar of 5 € (ticket price) , you can see the sarcophagus of Juan of Aragon, wooden pews of the choir of the XIV century, Baroque chapels with intricate stucco, a small Museum and a cloister. However, I passed until 10 am for free, but the Museum and cloister didn`t get there. The Cathedral was definitely worth a visit. The modest size of the facade is disorienting for tourists. The Cathedral is similar to the houses in Amsterdam (there because of taxes): the narrow facade doesn`t suggest how long the house is in reality. So it is here.
2. Reial Monestir De Santes Creus
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 369 reviews
3. Cartoixa de Scala Dei
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 224 reviews
Reviewed By tortadepatti - Walton, United States
This was such an inspiring view into the past! I've been telling every sommelier I know - go to Priorat for the wines (of course) but MAKE SURE you also visit the Cartoixa, the remains of the monastery around which Priorat was founded. The Carthusian monks believed in solitude and silence and lived most of their lives alone in cells with a small courtyard garden where they could grow vegetables for themselves and the community. During the visit you get to walk through these living quarters and catch a glimpse into what their lives must have been - fascinating (but watch out for the human skull!) I also tell everyone I know (sommeliers and even non wine lovers) to plan a visit to at least one winery in Escaladei. Me personal favorite is the Conreria, it's a little bit off-the-beaten path and they are famous for their incredíble white wines in this land of reds - worth a visit!
4. Prioral Sant Pere
5. Iglesia de la Purisima Sangre
6. Catedral Basilica Santa Maria
7. Iglesia de Sant Jaume de Tivissa
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 15 reviews
