The circus was used for horse and chariot races. Tarraco Viva, recognised as Europe’s most important cultural festival celebrating the Roman era, takes place each year in May and is an extraordinary example of the city’s continuing effort to make history attractive and accessible for all. Pictured: the Vaults of the Circus during the International festival Tarraco Viva.

Praetorium and Roman Circus

The Roman-era tower and the Provincial Forum Square were transformed into a royal palace in the 12th century. The Roman Circus featured horse and chariot races as early as the 1st century.

Currently, the eastern side can be visited—including the decorative façade and stands, as well as the Sant Hermenegild and Carrer Enrajolat vaults. – © Rafael López-Monné

The Circus could accommodate around 30,000 people and was the largest entertainment venue in Tarraco. It is the only surviving example of this type of building in Catalonia. – © Manel Antoli RV Edipress / Tarragona Tourist Board

This long room is covered with a cannon vault—the longest vault in the Roman circus. – © Manel Antoli RV Edipress / Tarragona Tourist Board

The circus was made up of a succession of some arches, where spectators could enter. – © Manel Antoli RV Edipress / Tarragona Tourist Board

A construction (pictured) from the Roman era, it was modified in mediaeval times and turned into a castle for the Crown of Aragon kings and queens. – © Manel Antoli RV Edipress / Tarragona Tourist Board

The “Sant Hermenegild” vault was used to support the upper platform of the south-eastern side of the circus. It was a link to the city with the provincial Fòrum, passing beneath the circus. – © Tarragona Tourist Board

Currently, the eastern side can be visited—including the decorative façade and stands, as well as the Sant Hermenegild and Carrer Enrajolat vaults. – © Rafael López-Monné

Located between Via Augusta and the provincial forum, Tarragona's circus was once used to hold horse and chariot races. An elongated structure measuring 325 by 115 metres, its original capacity has been estimated at 30,000 spectators. The complex was built in the 1st century. Unusually, it was located within the city limits and is thus endowed with several atypical architectural features.

The structure is considered one of the best-preserved circuses in the West, although some of the original structure remains hidden under 19th-century buildings. The Praetorium is a Roman-era tower that once housed the stairs leading the lower city to the provincial forum by way of the circus, which it is connected by underground passageways. It stands at one of the corners of the vast rectangle of the provincial forum square. In the 12th century, it was transformed into a palace for the monarchs of the Crown of Aragon and subsequently used as a prison.

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