ATTENTION: Because of the works of restoration that the entry and exit to the precinct Tuesday on Friday it will be made only for the access of the avenue of Catalunya.

The defensive wall, the first major construction undertaken by the Romans, was begun not long after they arrived in the area. This initial military encampment was the origin of the future city of Tarraco. We can assume that the first wall was a simple wooden stockade, but the fact that the settlement soon became a bridgehead for the disembarkation of reinforcements from Rome made it necessary to build stronger defences. The first stone wall was built between 217 and 197 BC. Architecturally-speaking, it consisted of walls built of Cyclopean stone, reinforced by towers at the most vulnerable points. The perimeter walls were six metres high and 4.5 metres thick. The towers were higher. Three towers from the period have been preserved: the Arquebisbe, Cabiscol and Minerva. Most experts now believe that around 150/125 BC the wall was considerably enlarged in length, height and width, being extended to surround the entire settlement as far as the port. From that time on it served not only a defensive purpose, but also defined the urban area. This second phase wall had a lower megalithic base, between 1.5 and 2 metres high (one or two rows of stone), which was built up with ashlars that formed compartments.