Capital of the Baix Ebre county, Tortosa stretches between the coastal plain, an agricultural landscape where fruit and olive trees grow, and the limestone and mountainous massif of Els Ports, rich in the multiple springs of water that gush out at the foot of the mountains. It is the capital of the Ebro Lands. It is a former port and merchant city located on the border between Al Andalus and Christian lands. It was for a long time the last city before the sea, and the only bridge over the river. As a result of this situation, the city had a turbulent history, with its occupation by the Romans, then by the Arabs in 714, its reconquest by Ramón Berenguer IV in 1148, and, more recently, with the Battle of the Ebro in 1938, during the Civil War, where at least 150,000 people were killed.
Tortosa is worth a visit for its small but exceptional historic centre. First of all, there is the superb cathedral nestled at the foot of the Suda and the treasures it preserves. Dedicated to the Virgin Mary, it is a very beautiful architectural ensemble in the Gothic style. Begun in 1347, in French Gothic style, it was completed in the 17th century, in a style more inspired by Catalan Gothic. The baroque facade dating from the 18th century impresses with its rich decoration. The sober interior features beautiful chapels, including that of Nostra Senyora de la Cinta, as well as the high altarpiece of the Virgin and the altarpiece of the Transfiguration. The cloister and its outbuildings (stables and dormitories) have been well restored. But it is also worth visiting the episcopal palace in Gothic style built in the 14th century, the Reales Colegios where the archives and the Renaissance interpretation centre are located, the Santa Clara convent, the oldest in the city, and the imposing fortress of La Suda. It is on the ancient Roman acropolis that this castle was built. While preserving traces of the Andalusian period, when the castle had a certain influence, the Christian occupation converted it into a seigneurial residence. It offers a pleasant view of the city and the surrounding mountains. In addition, there are palaces, noble houses and modernist buildings, such as the Tortosa Museum, the city's former slaughterhouse.
In addition, the tourist office has set up a whole range of tourist routes to guide you during your visit to Tortosa: the "Jewish Road", the "Modernisme Road" or the "Tortosa Fortifications Road". The "Hemingway to Tortosa" road follows in the footsteps of the writer, Nobel Prize winner and war correspondent in Tortosa in 1938, the year it was bombed. A tourist route also allows you to follow the route of the Camí de Sant Jaume de l'Ebre, one of the possible routes of the Santiago de Compostela route in Catalonia. The visit begins with the Portal del Romeu in Tortosa, the gateway to the famous Sant Jaume de l'Ebre road, which partially followed the course of the river. And in terms of gastronomy, gourmands can follow the "flavours of the historic centre" route and learn about local specialities
Back to the Renaissance!
During the Renaissance, Tortosa was the fifth largest city in Catalonia and a leading artistic centre. It is in memory of this glorious period that the city organizes each year a great Renaissance Festival, immersing its streets and squares in a unique atmosphere: about sixty shows are given, with 500 actors and musicians and not far from 3,000 inhabitants playing the game by not hesitating to put on 16th century costumes. In the second half of July, for four days, the alleys of the historic centre are filled with thousands of villagers in period costumes, musicians and dancers dressed in shimmering clothes and colourful troubadours who come to entertain the crowds. Shows and theatrical performances enliven the festivities even in the rich palaces and illustrious buildings of Tortosa, under the watchful eye of noble families and prosecutors who march in the shade of regional standards. The craft market stalls flood Tortosa with scents and flavours, while the fireworks display will dazzle visitors with its explosive magic. In addition, the village's taverns open their doors to you to taste a century-old gastronomy and pastries of yesteryear. The opportunity to relive the historical and cultural past of Tortosa, which was one of the most powerful towns in the Crown of Aragon. Unmissable if you are on the Costa Daurada at this time of year!
The province of Tarragona, a mess of activities
Less known than the Costa Brava and therefore less frequented, the Costa Daurada (Golden Coast) extends from Cunit, in the north of Tarragona province, to Las Casas d'Alcanar, in the south of this province. Its name is due to its large beaches of fine sand and shallow waters. Calafell Platja, Torredembarra and Tarragona are the main tourist centres in its northern part, while Salou Cambrils and Ametlla de Mar punctuate its southern part. To the south of this coast lies the Ebro Delta, one of the most important rivers in Spain and a very favourable area for discovery. Away from the Costa Daurada, the Tarragona province has an important historical and artistic heritage: Roman remains in and around Tarragona, the Cistercian monasteries of Santes Creus, Poblet and Santa María de Vallbona de les Monges to the north, and the city of Tortosa near the delta. Family holiday lovers will be keen to discover the Ebro region. With, at their disposal, different parks for children: Aqualeon, water park located in Albinyana, Aquapolis in Vila-Seca and, of course, the Universal's Port theme park. Built and opened in 1995 by Universal Studios, Tussauds Group and Ansheuser-Bush, Port Aventura Park became the largest theme park in southern Europe, with nearly 120 hectares of land. 20 years and a few international awards later (Europe's fastest roller coaster for the Furius Baco attraction in 2007, Europe's highest roller coaster for the Shambhala attraction in 2012), the park changes its name and continues to grow. The now named PortAventura World Parks & Resort opened in 2017 - in addition to the Port Aventura World theme park itself and the Port Aventura Caribe Aquatic Park - a new area dedicated to the famous Italian cars, the Ferrari Land Park! In a setting reminiscent of Italy with a reproduction of the Colosseum in Rome, some colourful facades of the transalpine streets, the bell tower of the Basilica of St. Mark in Venice or the house of the founder Enzo Ferrari, stands Red Force, the fastest and highest attraction in Europe. This roller coaster will propel you at almost 180 km/h and in not even 5 seconds! At 112 meters high, sensations guaranteed!
Smart info
When? When? With an obvious Mediterranean climate, we find dry and hot summers and rather mild winters. In summary, the best times to travel to Tortosa are spring and autumn. But to attend the Renaissance Festival, go to Costa Daurada for 4 days in the second half of July
Getting there. By train (via Barcelona), by plane (Barcelona airports 82 km away and Reus airport 7 km away) or by car (Barcelona, Tortosa and Valencia on the AP-7 motorway and N-340 national road).
Useful. To prepare your escapade as well as possible
TORTOSA TOURISM OFFICE - More information on the website
TORTOSA RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL - More information on the website
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