Do you know about the Tarraco Viva Festival held in May in the city of Tarragona? This event celebrates the history and culture of what was an important Roman city in ancient times. If you are planning to attend this great event on Costa Dorada, you can do it in a low-cost and sustainable way with Shuttle2Sun. We provide private transfer services and shared transfer services from Barcelona airport, Barcelona port, Reus airport, Girona airport and AVE Camp de Tarragona train station.
The Tarraco Viva Festival is an annual event held in one of the most historic Roman cities in the world, Tarragona. Ancient Tarraco played a fundamental role in the Roman conquest of ancient Hispania and, thanks to its strategic location, its port became one of the most important in the Western Mediterranean. Today, you can still see the remains of Roman architecture in its streets, and you can also visit the city’s Roman Circus, one of the best preserved in the world.
Origin
This event was created in 1999 by a group of history and culture enthusiasts, led by archaeologist Jordi López Vilar, with the aim of commemorating the history and culture of the city of Tarragona in Roman times. The festival is held every year in May and features a wide variety of events and activities that recreate the life and culture of yesteryear.
The first edition of the festival featured a group of historical re-enactors who represented the soldiers and citizens of Tarraco in its golden age. Since then, the festival has grown in popularity and has attracted local visitors from neighbouring towns such as Reus, Cambrils, La Pineda, Salou, Valls and also tourists from around the world.
The aim of the Tarraco Viva festival is to celebrate and offer visitors a unique and unforgettable experience, as it is a great opportunity to explore the archaeological sites and enjoy a wide variety of cultural and recreational activities.
Activities and attractions
During the latter, the capital of Tarragonés is transformed into an authentic Roman stage, with dozens of events, activities and performances for all tastes and ages. There are theatre, music and dance performances, as well as exhibitions, workshops and activities for children. If you plan to use the AVE Camp de Tarragona train station, you have a great connection to Tarragona, as it is only 15 minutes from the city centre.
One of the most popular attractions of the festival is the historical recreation of the ancient Roman Amphitheatre, where theatrical and gladiatorial performances take place. So, if you are in nearby towns such as Salou, Cambrils, La Pineda, Barcelona or Reus, you can’t miss this unique opportunity to immerse yourself in Roman culture and experience what life was like during that time.
In addition to the shows, guided tours are also organised to the city’s archaeological sites, including the Roman Amphitheatre and the Monumental Ensemble of Tarraco, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Experts and archaeologists are available to answer questions and share their knowledge of the city’s history and culture. If your flight lands at Reus airport, you will be 10 minutes away from this amazing opportunity.
The Tarraco Viva Festival is an opportunity to learn about Roman culture and the history of the city of Tarragona. During the festival, visitors can explore the archaeological ruins, learn about the history and enjoy the culture and traditions of the time.
The shows and performances are of high quality and take place in an authentic and exciting environment, and are enjoyable for all ages, satisfying the interests of any visitor to Costa Dorada, Costa Brava or Barcelona. You can enjoy a wide variety of entertainment, from early music concerts to craft workshops with games and educational activities.
Gastronomy
You will find numerous stalls and restaurants offering food and drinks typical of the period and of the region of Tarragona and its surroundings. Among the most popular dishes are the following:
Garum: This is a liquid condiment made from fermented fish and spices, it was used as a sauce to accompany other dishes. Garum was very popular and is considered one of the oldest condiments in the world. You can come and try this typical dish in the traditional way if you are in any town on Costa Dorada.
Escudella i carn d’olla: This is a meat and vegetable stew typical of Catalonia, which is served during the winter and on special occasions. The original recipe includes chickpeas, pork, chicken, bacon and seasonal vegetables such as potatoes, turnips and carrots. At the festival, you can try a version of this recipe with ingredients from Roman times.
Fish and seafood: The Gold Coast is a coastal region, so fish and seafood are an important part of the local gastronomy. The ingredients come from towns such as Cambrils and Tarragona, and other towns along the Mediterranean Sea, so their quality and exquisiteness are assured.
Wine and cava: The Tarragonès region is known for its high quality wines and cavas. In addition, regions such as Baix Camp, Montsant, Priorat, Alt Camp and Baix Penedès also take the opportunity to present their great varieties of local wines and cavas at this event.
You can also find other typical food and sweets of the region such as the tomato bread known throughout Catalonia and the Sant Jordi cake.
This festival is a great opportunity to travel back in time to Roman times while discovering the magnificent city of Tarragona on Costa Dorada. Remember that Shuttle2Sun provides private transfer services and shared transfer services from Barcelona airport, Barcelona port, Reus airport, Girona airport and AVE Camp de Tarragona train station.
