The passage of the Roman Empire through Catalonia

The fight that the Romans and Carthaginians had for control of the Mediterranean in the late 3rd century BC led to the Second Punic War. In 218 BC the Romans landed at Emporion (Empúries) to cut off the Carthaginian general Hannibal, who wanted to attack Italy using Hispania as a supply base. Roman troops soon controlled the entire coast of present-day Catalonia. Today there are thousands of sites that help us understand the passage of the Roman Empire through our house.

The Romans promote urban life in Hispania. They are going to promote the development of old cities and founded new colonies. The most important city in Roman Catalonia was Tarraco (Tarragona), which became the capital of Hispania Citerior and after the province of Tarraconense.

In the cities, wealthy families lived in single-family houses called domus, which they organized around a central courtyard. The most humble, lived in blocks of flats with three or four floors, called insulae, with shops on the ground floor. Latin was the official language of the empire.

From language, to architecture, to law or religion, the Roman legacy continues to be present among us 22 centuries after its arrival in Catalonia.

Related routes

Experiences

Theatrical visit to the Guissona Museum

Guissona

Family drama tour with Titus and Cornelius, straight from ancient Iesso! Through humor and entertainment, these two characters take us back in time to discover the remains of the Roman city. The activity is part of an annual series with specific…

Featured

Espai Moja. Catalunya: Patrimoni viu

Barcelona

Descobreix Tarraco, L'empremta de Roma

Tarragona

Museu de les Aigües

Cornellà de Llobregat

Centre d’Interpretació el Camp de les Lloses

Tona

Turisme Baix Llobregat

Abrera, Begues, Castelldefels, Castellví de Rosanes, Cervelló, Collbató, Corbera de Llobregat, Cornellà de Llobregat, El Papiol, El Prat de Llobregat, Esparreguera, Esplugues de Llobregat, Gavà, La Palma de Cervelló, Martorell, Molins de Rei, Olesa de Montserrat, Pallejà, Sant Andreu de la Barca, Sant Boi de Llobregat, Sant Climent de Llobregat, Sant Esteve Sesrovires, Sant Feliu de Llobregat, Sant Joan Despí, Sant Just Desvern, Sant Vicenç dels Horts, Santa Coloma de Cervelló, Torrelles de Llobregat, Vallirana, Viladecans

Events

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Roman Morning of All Saints in Vila-sacra

1 November

Vila-sacra celebrates another edition of the Roman All Saints' Day Matinal, a family event that will transform the church square and the town's streets into a small Roman-inspired setting. The program will combine a parade, a treasure hunt,…

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October 24th, International Day Against Climate Change

24 October

October 24th is a key date for us. Climate change is not a distant threat or someone else's problem. It's here, it's now, and it affects us all. Episodes of extreme drought, more aggressive fires, and relentless heat waves are clear symptoms…

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La Pitavola del Comapedrosa, Andorra

From 3 to 4 October

The Comapedrosa Natural Park commemorates the date of its creation with this annual event that takes place in Arinsal, the main gateway to the park. The event wants to reach all lovers of the mountain and the traditions that surround it to…

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Guissona Roman Market

From 17 to 18 July

Guissona takes a leap back in time to relive the town's Roman past! The origins The ancient city of Iesso is identified with the archaeological site preserved under the town of Guissona and in the surrounding fields. The foundation of the Roman…

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Dramatized visit "One of the Romans" in Tossa de Mar

3 July …

Don't miss the theatrical tour "One of the Romans" in Tossa de Mar! Step back in time and discover what daily life was like in the ancient Roman villa of Els Ametllers through an immersive and vibrant experience. Vitalis, the proud owner of…

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May 22, International Day for Biological Diversity

22 May

The International Day for Biological Diversity is celebrated every year on May 22, commemorating the adoption of the Convention on Biological Diversity in 1992. The day aims to raise awareness and knowledge about biodiversity, as well as to…

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Fair "Lliga't a la terra" in Santa Eulàlia de Ronçana

18 April

A new edition of the "Lliga't a la terra" (Come to the Land) Fair is coming to Santa Eulàlia de Ronçana! This year's farmers' fair will be held at the La Fábrica Civic and Cultural Center. The event, which will take place…

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Alternative Fair in l'Ametlla de Mar

From 27 to 29 March

During the weekend the Alternative Fair, a market for natural and artisanal products, will take place in l'Ametlla de Mar. The Bon Repós Park, the former location of the market, and its nearby streets, will host the attractive and original…

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Tree Festival in Viladrau

From 21 to 22 March

Viladrau celebrates the Tree Festival once again! Perhaps many people do not know it, but the Tree Festival is a Catalan initiative that is more than 100 years old. Faced with the alarming deforestation that Catalonia was suffering at the end…