Admire the view of the city from the Cathedral’s bell tower.

Climb Tarragona’s watchtower

Get incredible views across the region as you head up to the top of one of the city’s main landmarks.

The bell tower contains some of Europe’s oldest working bells dating from 1313 and 1314. It stands 70 metres high and was built in several different phases from the 14th century. It is surmounted by an early 16th-century small temple containing the famous hour bell Capona. Some of the bells are rung using the Catalan full-circle method, meaning the bell rotates 360 degrees and is stopped by the bell-ringer when it is balanced mouth upwards. – © Manel R. Granell

Enjoy a great panoramic view of the city. – © Joan Capdevila Vallve

Everything looks different from the watchtower at the top of the Tarragona Cathedral. With the help of the guides that take you up, you’ll be able to trace the ancient walls of the original city, with entrance gates and main monuments all fitting into place.

To get to the top of the tower, there are 196 steps on three stages. Going up, you can spot scars on the walls - autographs from the roman craftsmen and artisans, the impacts from ammunition of different conflicts, and graphite sketches from various periods throughout the years.

At the first stop on the climb, you’ll be able to visit the monk’s room, where the people working for the Cathedral like caretakers and servants used to live. Further up, at the next level, is the clock room where there is still the original mechanism from the 16th century, and also the one from the second clock that worked from 1882 until 1986.

Nearly at the top, on the third level, you’ll find the enormous bells that are used for important religious events and city festivities. A short final climb to the top reveals not just the city views, but also the small mechanised bell that is used for daily timekeeping.

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