The roman amphitheatre of Tarragona is a huge space created for the spectacles, it is located into a covered by walls place next to the sea.
The terrain choosed for its construction it is one that is very close to the entrance door of the city, making it this way very accessible; besides it is a place with some kind of ground inclination this way the economic budged was cut considerable because they used this same inclination in the construction of the cave.
The building has deteriorated over the years, but one can still see clearly all its basic characteristics.
It was constructed on the beginning of the II century by one of the (in roman ) "flamen provinciae Hispaniae citerioris" (roman religious responsible).

Its form in that of one ellipsis of 130 x 102 Mts. describing a central area (arena) this is where the games took place. It is limited on its perimeter by the podiums wall, it is open over its extremes of its longitudinal axis by two doors.
This area had subterranean caves called "fossae" that crossed the area from one side to the other.
The caves served as dwelling for the gladiators, also they were used for the base of the elevator for the beasts and the different scenarios.

The cave was divided into there different sections and were separated between them by hallways and small walls that permitted put in sequence all the shows and hierarchically set the different spectacles by its social importance.

There is not much information about the facade, but we can estimate by huge stonework forming arcades in circular formation with two great access doors called "Triumphalis" ( access to the opening parade) and the other called the "Libitinensis" (exit of the dead bodies).
Its purpose of beings was basically two and both were fighting: fights between gladiators and between beasts.

Its capacity was of 14.000 spectators and could be covered by a tepee or canvas.
It was also the martyrdom scenario of the first Tarraco Christians.
After this building was definitely abandoned it was constructed a Visigothic basilica where the martyrs died.
They used the same stonework for the construction of this basilica.
Over its remains, and continuing with the tradition it was constructed another religious building on top, this time a gothic-roman church and its was on the XII-XIII century.
Today one can see the building like it finally ended after its restorations on the 70's.

Text By Eduard Juncosa