Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
complex full-colour creations. A highlight is the large, almost complete
Mosaic de peixos de
la Pineda
, showing fish and sea creatures. It's open extended hours in high season.
RUINS
NECRÒPOLIS PALEOCRISTIANA
9.30am-1.30pm &
3-5.30pm Tue-Sat, 10am-2pm Sun)
This vast Roman-Christian city of the dead on the western edge of town consists of over
2000 elaborate tombs. It was used from the 3rd century AD onwards, thus attesting to
Rome's conversion to Christianity. While you can only look at the tombs through the fence,
the museum features curious funereal objects and sarcophagi. Entry is free if you have
already purchased a ticket to the
Museu Nacional Arqueològic de Tarragona
.
It opens exten-
ded hours in high season.
CATHEDRAL
CATEDRAL
10am-7pm Mon-
Sat mid-Mar-Oct, 10am-5pm Mon-Fri, 10am-7pm Sat Nov-mid-Mar)
Sitting grandly atop town, Tarragona's cathedral has both Romanesque and Gothic features,
as typified by the main facade. The cloister has Gothic vaulting and Romanesque carved
capitals, one of which shows rats conducting a cat's funeral…until the cat comes back to
life! It's a lesson about passions seemingly lying dormant until they reveal themselves.
Chambers off the cloister house the
Museu Diocesà
, with an extensive collection extending
from Roman hairpins to some lovely 12th- to 14th-century polychrome woodcarvings of a
breastfeeding Virgin.
EATING & DRINKING
The quintessential Tarragona seafood experience can be had in
Serrallo
, the town's fishing
port. Plaça de la Font in the old town is great for an outdoor drink.
CATALAN
AQ
€40-50; 1.30-3.30pm & 8.30-11pm Tue-Sat)
This is a bubbly designer haunt alongside the cathedral with stark colour contrasts (black,
lemon and cream linen), slick lines and intriguing plays on traditional cooking. One of the
two degustation menus is the way to go here, or the weekday lunch
menú
for €18.
