Visit the National Archeological Museum of Tarragona delve into the ancient history of the city. The museum holds thousands of artifacts and many were excavated from Tarragona’s historic sites. They provide fascinating insights into the city’s past, including its time as a provincial capital of the Roman Empire. The collection includes Roman mosaics, sculptures, household items and funerary objects.
There are ten rooms of exhibits to investigate spread out across several floors. A good place to start is in the basement, where you can watch a short video overview of Tarragona’s history. Before leaving the basement, study the large fragment of original Roman wall.
Go up to the ground floor and examine the collection of Roman mosaics in Room 3. One of the highlights of this exhibition is the mosaic depicting the head of Medusa, the Greek mythological figure who had snakes instead of hair. The work of art is considered to be one of the finest Roman mosaics in Spain. Some of the pieces on display were discovered during archaeological digs. Others were found by local citizens in their own neighborhoods.
While on the ground floor, see relics from Tarragona's Roman temples, forums, theater, circus and amphitheater. On the first floor, examine the collection of everyday Roman objects, including utensils, keys, belt buckles and jewelry. Make your way to the top floor to view busts and sculptures of Roman emperors and other prominent members of Roman society. There are also figures of gods and mythological heroes.
The National Archaeological Museum of Tarragona is open every day except Mondays and some public holidays. Admission charges apply, but there are discounts for disabled persons, families and people under 25 and over 65 years of age. The ticket price also includes access to the Early-Christian Museum and Necropolis. From October to June, admission is free for all visitors on the last Tuesday of the month.
The museum is a short walk from Tarragona’s railway station. Just go up the hill toward the city’s old quarter.
