A route from the Torre dels Vents to the Balcó del Mediterrani
Since Tarragona has retained the original layout created by the Romans, the different parts of the city —apart from the neighbourhoods— are very well defined and can be easily identified just by looking at a map of the city. The city’s main shopping area is concentrated along its wide central avenue, the ‘new avenue’, or Rambla Nova, and the surrounding streets, especially from the Plaça Imperial Tarraco to the Balcó del Mediterrani (Balcony of the Mediterranean) and from the Part Alta (the historic quarter) to the local forum.
Following the expansion of the city’s avenues, the Rambla Nova became the central axis of Tarragona’s urban layout, around which the streets of the city centre are distributed. Following the path of the Rambla Nova, one sees numerous houses, all of them private, with façades of great historical and architectural interest, as well as sculptures, fountains and monuments, all with rich histories.
You are invited to take a stroll along Tarragona’s main promenade, which has existed for more than 150 years, to the Balcó del Mediterrani, a unique place inspired by the city’s maritime character. From this magnificent vantage point overlooking the sea, you can enjoy wonderful views of the Mediterranean, the Port of Tarragona, Platja del Miracle (Miracle Beach) and the Roman amphitheatre. It is a place much loved by the people of Tarragona, for whom taking a stroll along the Rambla Nova to ‘tocar ferro’, to touch the iron railing on the Balcó del Mediterrani, is almost compulsory. So, on your pleasant walk, you can touch the railing designed by Ramon Salas i Ricomà in 1889. The railing has a very distinctive design, and they say touching it brings good luck. Ready? Let’s go!
Torre dels Vents (Tower of the Winds)
👤 Antoni Mas Castelltort, 2006
📍 Roundabout in the Plaça de les Corts Catalanes
The Torre dels Vents is a 32-metre-high sculpture commemorating the completion of the project to extend the Rambla Nova. It consists of a large metal prism that stands on an arch, crowned by a weather vane that indicates which way the wind is blowing. It symbolises Tarragona’s industrial surroundings and features lighting inside the structure.
Monument to Lluís Companys
👤 Bruno Gallart Pardo, 2005
📍 Rambla del President Lluís Companys, central promenade
A sculpture of the president of the Government of Catalonia, Lluís Companys, who was executed by firing squad in 1940. He is depicted barefoot on a block of stone in front of four iron columns symbolising the four stripes on the Catalan flag. The olive tree and the cypress symbolise wisdom and peace. A quote from president Companys is shown, ‘Tornarem a sofrir, tornarem a lluitar, tornarem a vèncer’ (We will suffer again. We will fight again. We will win again.)
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Monument als Castells (‘Monument to the human towers’)
👤 Francesc Anglès i Crespo, 1999
📍 Rambla Nova, central promenade, between Carrer de l’Enginyer Cabestany and Carrer del Pare Palau
The Monument als Castells shows a life-size ‘4 de 8’ human tower. It is 11 metres high and has a diameter of 6 metres at the ‘pinya’, or base, of the human tower. It consists of 222 people, three of whom are grallers, i.e., players of the traditional reed instrument, the gralla, who accompany the tower builders.
The final person, who stands away from the base of the tower, is the leader of the tower builders.
Font del Centenari (Centenari Fountain)
👤 Josep Viladomat i Massanas, 1954
📍 Roundabout at the intersection of the Rambla Nova with Carrer Pau Casals, Carrer Rovira i Virgili, Avinguda Ramón i Cajal and Carrer de Cristòfor Colom
The fountain was inaugurated on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the opening of the Rambla Nova. It consists of sculptural groups with human, animal and plant elements. It represents the four continents, the four cardinal points and the different races of people. The water flows from the mouths of the animals, from eight springs and from four pine cones in the centre of the pond.
Official Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Navigation
👤 Antoni Pujol Sevil, 1928
📍 The corner of Rambla Nova and Avinguda Pau Casals 17
The building known as Casa de la Punxa (the point house) or Casa Escorsa (after Joan Escorsa Soria) was initially designed to be a residential building and later became the offices of the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Navigation. It’s a building with an eclectic style.
La Casa del Doctor Aleu (The House of Doctor Aleu)
👤 Josep M. Pujol de Barberà, 1927
📍 Rambla Nova 97
The façade of the house has a Catalan Modernist air, which is reflected in the ground-floor railings and the roof. The difference between the floors is readily apparent in the façade, and a contemporary stained-glass window has been added to the upper floor.
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Monument als Herois de 1811 (Monument to the Heroes of 1811)
👤 Julio Antonio Rodríguez, 1911
📍 Rambla Nova between Carrer Cañellas and Carrer d’Ixart
The monument to the Heroes of 1811, known locally as ‘els despullats, or ‘the nudes’, commemorates the 100th anniversary of the siege and sacking of the city by Napoleon’s troops during the Peninsular War, and is a tribute to the people of Tarragona who fought against Napoleon’s Grande Armée in 1811.
The convent of the Teresian order (Collegiate of St. Theresa of Jesus)
👤 Bernardí Martorell i Puig, between the years of 1911 and 1929
📍 Rambla Nova 79-91
The Col·legi de les Teresianes is a school building in the Catalan Modernist style with exposed reddish brickwork. Of particular interest is the entrance on the main façade with an atrium formed by a vault.
L’Avi Virgili (Grandfather Virgili)
👤 Josep Agustí i Feliu, 1995
📍 Rambla Nova 39, central promenade
A sculpture dedicated to the printer, bibliophile and Tarragonan Josep Pau Virgili Sanromà (1895 – 1993), known locally as ‘L’Avi Virgili’, or ‘grandfather Virgili’. He was recognised in 1973 as a Tarragoní Fidel, or faithful Tarragonan, and received the Silver Medal of Tarragona in 1983. The sculpture is life-size and presents him in a completely natural pose, sitting on a bench like any other pedestrian.
La Casa Bofarull (The Bofarull House)
👤 Josep M. Pujol de Barberà, 1921
📍 Rambla Nova 37
The Dolors Bofarull House is a beautiful example of our Catalan Modernist architecture. It is based on the compositional language of Viennese Modernism and the work of the architect Otto Wagner, and uses the artistic resources offered by the geometric and refined expression of the Secession.
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La Casa Salas (The Salas House)
👤 Ramon Salas Ricomà, 1907
📍 Rambla Nova 25.
A building made of natural stone in the Catalan Modernist style. The walls are notable for the rusticated masonry and the balconies for their mouldings with plant motifs. Of particular interest is the pentagonal baroque corner oriel window on the first floor, which gives it the air of a Venetian Gothic urban grand house.
Monument to the sardana
👤 Josep Brull i Pagès, 1973
📍 Rambla Nova 25, central promenade
The Monument to the Sardana commemorates Tarragona receiving the distinction of Ciutat Pubilla de la Sardana in 1973. It is a circular marble monolith that depicts a circle of young people dancing the traditional Catalan dance, the sardana. It is located in the area where sardana dances are normally held.
Monument to Nàstic
👤 Joan Blázquez, 2011
📍 Rambla Nova, 16.
This work commemorates the 125th anniversary of the founding of Tarragona’s football club, Gimnàstic de Tarragona, known locally as ‘Nàstic’. The lower section has all the elements of a classic column, with the plinth, the base and the beginning of the fluted shaft, but at the top it becomes a monolith with cubist contours on which the coat of arms of Club Gimnàstic de Tarragona can be seen.
Tragedy and comedy masks
👤 Josep Maria Rosselló i Virgili, 2011
📍 Rambla Nova, 11, central promenade.
This mosaic with masks depicting tragedy and comedy was placed in the middle of the central promenade of the Rambla Nova in front of the theatre to mark the inauguration of the newly redesigned Teatre Tarragona in 2011.
Monument to Roger de Llúria
👤 Fèlix Ferrer Galceran (estàtua) i Ramon Salas Ricomà (pedestal), 1889
📍 Rambla Nova in front of the Balcó del Mediterrani.
A 2.5-metre sculpture on a 15-metre plinth in the Romanesque style, depicting Roger de Llúria, the victorious navigator and admiral of the royal navy of Peter III of Aragon. It depicts the soldier as a hero, with great realism in the details of his clothing, but also illustrating his strong character and vivacious temperament.
Railing of the Balcony of the Mediterranean
👤 Ramon Salas Ricomà, 1889
📍 Rambla Nova – Passeig de les Palmeres
At the end of Rambla Nova, overlooking the Mediterranean, is the Balcó del Mediterrani, a magnificent viewpoint that stands atop a 23-metre-high cliff and is graced with a very special baroque iron railing. According to tradition, the inhabitants of Tarragona must ‘tocar ferro’ (touch the iron railing) if they want to have good luck.
You’ll find all the information you need to follow the Catalan Modernist Route along the Rambla Nova and visit other parts of Tarragona at your own pace here.
Find your route to experience unique and unforgettable moments in Tarragona.
