Inscription dedicated by Gaius Baebius Myrisme to his wife, Fabia Saturnina. It is a declaration of love, on the wall of the Casa Corderet, a historic wax and candle shop in Merceria Street.

Find ancient signs

You can get a sense of the story of Tarragona by seeing how local businesses have integrated ancient ruins.

The urban skeleton of the 1st century Tarraco has become, throughout history, an important heritage on which to base the modern city. This is a city where stones bear witness to the passage of years, centuries, and also, millennia. Many of the local businesses have embraced this.

Take a tour of the city’s stores and you’ll see how Santa Gemma’s Jeweller’s shows, as a part of its façade, some of the Circus’s podium. The La Caixa bank office at the Plaça de la Font has partly rebuilt terraces and also a bit of the Circus structure.

Inscription that stands out for its convex, rounded forms that testify to its subsequent reuse. It was dedicated by Gavius Felicianus to his "very good friend", Lucius Perperna Numisianus. - © Manel R. Granell

Go a bit further and you’ll find Personal Jeweller’s at 36 Major St which is located in an old gothic palace with a coffered ceiling from the 15th century, medieval arches shining with all its splendour, and even a courtyard where the workshop is set.

The stones here bear witness to the passage of years, centuries, and also, millennia. - © Manel R. Granell

Elsewhere on Major Street, you’ll find other stores with important remains. Ale-hop keeps its roman arches in great condition; the Teashop still has spectacular medieval archways, and there’s Esports la Catedral, which are proudly able to exhibit Jupiter’s temple stairs from the 1st century.

Addresses of interest

Santa Gemma: carrer Sant Fructuós, 1
CaixaBank: plaça de la Font, 45
Personal: carrer Major, 36
Ale-hop: carrer Major, 1
Tea Shop: carrer Major, 32
Esports Catedral: carrer Major, 44

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