Works begin at Tarragona’s Paleochristian Necropolis, the most important one of the Western Mediterranean

Tarragona (ACN).- Restoration work at the Paleochristian Necropolis of Tarragona, declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 2000, started at the end of January and are expected to end by May. The Early Christian cemetery of Tarragona is mostly a third century funerary site, although it also contains ruins dating between the first (Roman times) and seventh century (Visigoth period). It is located in the city’s suburbs, near the Francolí River. It is the most important cemetery of the Western Mediterranean and due to its importance and uniqueness, the City Hall has decided to make it accessible to the public again. The space has remained closed since 1992.

The Early Christian Necropolis of Tarragona was designated a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 2000. The area of the cemetery includes 2,051 graves dating from the third century and the Visigoth period (up to the seventh century). It also has earlier ruins from the first century. The typology of the tombs varies and ranges from a simple burial to a jar with tiling (tegulae) in mausoleums, including a wide range of coffins, some from North Africa while others are in wooden coffins.

Closed since 1992

€225,000 will be needed to restore the site of the graves and decide on the suitability of the area. According to local government sources in Tarragona, the Necropolis project will last 14 weeks and can so receive its first visitors in May. The proposal was unanimously approved by all political parties given that the Necropolis space has remained closed since 1992.

The Catalan Minister for Culture, Ferran Mascarell, confirmed that the Necropolis of Tarragona will be opened to the public in 2013 after being closed for 20 years. He also stressed that the rehabilitation works are very important because in this way the unique features of the monument will become more understandable to visitors.