Tarragona and Altafulla are culture and history

Els Munts Roman villa – 500 yds.

Just a few yards away from the hotel, if you follow the Via Augusta (the street of Altafulla Mar Hotel and the ancient Roman road which connected Rome and Tarraco) you will reach the fantastic Roman villa of Els Munts, the residence of a senior local government considered one of the most important architectural ensembles in its category of ancient Hispania.

It was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in the year 2000 as part of the Roman remains of Tarraco. Its fantastic location, on a hill overlooking the sea, makes it a must-see attraction when you visit Altafulla. A great family plan is to enjoy the interactive tours that take place there, in which Caius and Faustina, the old hosts of the Roman villa, will welcome you and tell you everything about how life used to be like here over 2,000 years ago.

Vila Closa and Montserrat Castle – 0.6 miles

The town’s origin goes back to the Eleventh century, during medieval times, when it was part of the southern area of the County of Barcelona. The old town is today known as Vila Closa, a well-preserved structure of beautiful, narrow and winding cobbled streets lined up with 300-year-old buildings. Vila Closa is crowned by Montserrat Castle, also known as Altafulla Castle, a fortress of close to 1,000 years of age with a triangular-shaped floor which is part of the enthralling Gaià Castles Route. From the castle you can also enjoy fantastic views of the Baix Gaià area. Vila Closa was declared a Historic-Artistic Architectural Complex by the Government of Catalonia in 1998. Guided tours are available.

Tarragona (Tarraco) – 6 miles

Tarragona, Tarraco. The name says it all. The home of many ancient Roman remains such as the praetorium, the circus, the forum, the walls, the aqueduct known as Pont del Diable (on the outskirts) or the stunning amphitheatre, which will take you back to Roman times when the city was the main winter base of the Roman army in Hispania.

Tarragona is a city full of culture, ideal to visit in May due to the fantastic Tarraco Viva Festival, a historical and cultural event with over 400 shows, among them gladiator fights on the amphitheatre arena.

Tarragona is also a city which looks towards the sea, offering a mild and almost unique climate which is perfect for strolls on its famous boulevard Rambla Nova and on the seafront promenade known as Balcó del Mediterrani (Mediterranean Balcony), enjoying a snack and a drink in the sun in Plaça de la Font, climbing up the bell tower of the majestic cathedral or sampling the local speciality, a rice dish in the Serrallo fishing district. It is a destination recommended especially for couples, families and groups of friends. Tarragona can be enjoyed 365 days a year.

The Cistercian Route – 12 miles

Created in 1989, this fantastic route links the three existing Cistercian monasteries in Catalonia: Vallbona de les Monges (Urgell), Poblet (Conca de Barberà) and Santes Creus (Alt Camp), the latter being just 12 miles from Altafulla Mar Hotel.

Royal Monastery of Santes Creus: Built in the year 1160, this monastery enjoys a perfect state of preservation and in 1921 it was declared a Monument of National Interest. It is the only one out of the three monasteries with no current monastic life inside, allowing visitors to explore it in its entirety. It is considered one of the masterpieces of medieval Catalan art.

Royal Monastery of Poblet: Founded in the year 1150, it is one of the most important monastic complexes in Europe and the one with the most inhabitants today. In 1991 it was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Don’t miss out on its guided tours, an unforgettable experience for the whole family.

Vallbona de les Monges Monastery: Founded in the Twelfth century, it was declared a National Monument in 1931 and out of all Cistercian monasteries, it is the one with the highest number of nuns.