Ancient Rome comes to life with Tarraco Viva

Traces of the Roman Empire can still be seen in almost all aspects of modern life, with ruins echoing the grandeur of this vast network throughout its fallen metropoles.  But in few places does the Roman Empire come as alive as it does in Tarragona, with the ‘Tarraco Viva’ festival.

The festival is held in southern Catalan town of Tarragona, the oldest Roman settlement on the peninsula, once the capital of the province of Hispania Tarraconensis, it bears the original name of ‘Tarraco,' which in turn inspires the name of the festival. 

Running until the last Sunday in May, Tarraco Viva celebrates its 20th anniversary with activities involving more than a thousand people. It's the perfect occasion to discover this unique town, where one can find a sprawling Roman amphitheater overlooking a crystalline Mediterranean sea.

This festival has been regarded as a central part of the city's largest strategy to become, once again, a major hub in the Mediterranean, and which will come full force when Tarragona hosts the Mediterranean Games this June.