The Port

As old as Tarraco, already in 45 BC, it was an important commercial center for agricultural products such as oil, wine and wheat that were exported in exchange for ceramics, glass and manufactured products from Italy and the north of Africa.

The first project of the port is from the end of the s. XVIII and was initially directed by the engineer Juan Ruiz de Apodaca, and then by Joan Smith. At the end of the 19th century, the most important developments took place that contributed to the port reaching its current appearance. During the 20th century, the introduction of the petrochemical industry led to an increase in port traffic and the construction of oil docks.

In the sixties of the 20th century, remodelling works focused on the interior construction of docks - the Llevant, the Pescadors, the Transversal and the Contradic - and the extension of the Levant and Oeste dikes. The port has been building new facilities and access roads: moll d'Aragó (1971), moll de La Rioja (1974), moll de Catalunya (1990), the new contradic, the extension of the Llevant dike, the moll d'Andalusia (1999), the Transversal Axis (1989), among others.

It is currently a meeting point and a recreational and cultural reference. Since 1986, under the name Moll de Costa, it comprises an attractive space which is fully integrated into the city. On the one hand, the promenade, the children's park, the pavilions with temporary exhibitions, the exhibition of the Tarragona Archaeological Museum, the Port Museum, the Archive, Port Tarraco, the Yacht Club, the breakwater, the Miracle beach and the footbridge that connects the station and the Balcó del Mediterrani. On the other hand, the fishing port, the Serrallo neighbourhood and its restaurants make up a very emblematic scene.