The Roman Circus of Tarragona is another public sport arena that every large town in the Roman Empire had to have. It was built in the first century AD during rule of Flavian Dynasty. Roman Circus is considered one of the best preserved in the former Roman Empire. Here you can see seats for the spectators, crumbling arches and well preserved underground corridors. In 2000 Roman Circus was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list. Here you can climb medieval tower that is occasionally called the Palace of Pilate. Although Pilate was born in Tarragona, the tower was constructed long after his death. Nevertheless Pilate Tower offers a great of the historic Tarragona below.
History
Roman Circus was built at the end of the first century AD By the
mandate of the Roman emperor Domitian. in him the ludi circenses
(horse races) were celebrated. The circus remained in use until the
middle of the fifth century when the sand and the perimeter vaults
were transformed into new residential spaces (The city was collected
in the "upper part" from the fifth century due to the growing
instability of the Roman Empire, occupying the former facilities of
the provincial forum and the circus). During the following periods,
the original structures were used progressively as support for the
new constructions, so that the circus ended up being embedded in the
same urban center of Tarragona, which curiously facilitated that it
is probably the best preserved in the world.
The part of the eastern head is preserved and can be visited, where
the triumphal door and a good part of the grandstand are located. In
addition, several of the inner circles of the circus can be visited,
which supported the upper bleachers, whose preserved dimension is
also a record over the other Roman cirques preserved. These laps go
into many cases in the bowels of the old town.
Use of the Roman Circus
Quadriga races (cars pulled with four horses) and bigas (with two
horses) driven by the aurigas .
Ludi circuses (Circus games).
Theatrical games
Technical characteristics
Capacity: 25,000 people.
Architectural form: elongated shape with circular finish on one
side.
Measures: 325 meters long and about 115 meters wide.