beyond the stirring monasteries of Montserrat, Poblet and Santa Crues and right in the middle of the overbuilt, unexciting Costa Daurada

"K2T Wisata"

Catalonia’s other face lies to the south, beyond the stirring monasteries of Montserrat, Poblet and Santa Crues and right in the middle of the overbuilt, unexciting Costa Daurada. Tarragona’s outstanding Roman monuments are a reflection of the ancient capital being the largest and oldest Roman settlement in Iberia, described by the poet Virgil as “the most pleasant spot for resting”. That was a few decades BCE, but the same epithet could be applied today, as Spain‘ s deepest port retains a sleepy air that relates more to southern Spain than to the focused dynamism of Barcelona.

The reason for coming here is obvious: a superbly located amphitheater, massive hilltop walls, the praetorium (subsequently the residence of the Counts of Barcelona), an aqueduct and an archeological museum. There are some fine vintage points which give a clear view of the extent of this ancient town which served as a model for provincial capitals elsewhere in the Roman Empire. As a result, in 2000, Tarragona gained World Heritage status.

Wine aficionados use Tarragona as a base for heading inland into the rugged sierra surrounding Gratallops, center of Priorat production. Vineyards interspersed with wild landscapes of pine and olive trees are backed by pinkish colors of Serra de Montsant, making a striking rural destination. In the beautiful village of Escaladel lies the historic and spiritual center of the Priorat area, a Carthusian monastery that was responsible for introducing vine cultivation and wine-ageing techniques here in the 12th century. Proof that Catalonia, however focused it may be on the future, has deep, deep roots.