Tarraco Amphiteater - Tarragona, Catalonia
Posted by: 
Manaies
N 41° 06.872 E 001° 15.527
31T E 353812 N 4552931
Tarragona Amphitheatre is a Roman amphitheatre in the city of Tarragona, in the Catalonia region of north-east Spain. It was built in the 2nd century AD, sited close to the forum of this provincial capital.
Waymark Code: WMPBAQ
Location: Cataluña, Spain
Date Posted: 08/03/2015
Views: 13
The amphitheatre could house up to 15,000 spectators, and measured 130 by 102 metres (427 ft × 335 ft).
It was built at the end of 1st century BC and the start of 2nd century BC, down from the walls and facing the sea. There are remains of a large inscription dating to the reign of Elagabalus (3rd century AD) and located in the podium.
In 259, during the persecution of Christians by Emperor Valerian, the city's bishop, Fructuous, and his deacons, Augurius and Eulogius were burned alive. After Christianity became the official religion of the empire, the amphitheatre lost its original functions. The following years some of the building's stones were used to build a basilica to commemorate the three martyrs. Tombs were excavated in the arena and funerary mausoleums were annexed to the church.
The Islamic invasion of Spain started a period of abandon of the area, which lasted until the 12th century, when a church was built over the remains of the Visigothic church, in Romanesque style. This was demolished in 1915.
In 1576, it became the convent for the order of the Trinity until 1780 when it became a prison for prisoners who were constructing the port. After closing the prison, it was abandoned up to the mid-20th century when work was started to recover the theatre, funded by the Bryant foundation.
Type of Amphitheater: Ancient Amphitheater
Amphitheater Website: [Web Link]
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Visit Instructions:
When visiting a waymark, please take pictures that clearly show the amphitheater. If you have pictures with yourself in the amphitheater, that would be great too. Also, tell us a little about your visit.