Tarragona 🇪🇸
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Tarraco – the Roman city
Tarragona (once Tarraco) was one of the most important cities in Roman Hispania. Founded as the first Roman settlement on the Iberian Peninsula, it served as a military base from 218 BC during the Second Punic War. Soon after, Tarraco developed into the capital of the province of Hispania Citerior.
Monumental structures such as the amphitheatre, the forum and the circus still reflect the city's importance under Emperor Augustus and his successors. The archaeological remains have been part of the UNESCO World Heritage since the year 2000.
Tarraco Viva!
Every year in May, this ancient backdrop becomes the center of living history: Tarraco Viva! is the oldest and most renowned Roman festival in Europe.
Historical reenactors and artisans, museums and experts from all over Europe present a diverse program: from Roman daily life, religion, trade and craftsmanship to military displays from various Roman periods.
Ruva Leu
This year, we joined our friends from the Italian group Ruva Leu for the first time at Tarraco Viva. Our presentation focused on the Etruscan world of the 4th century BC – a period in which the Etruscan cities made one last cultural and military stand before being absorbed into the Roman Republic.
The centerpiece was the military presentation. On the Campo de Marte, we demonstrated the equipment, tactics and formation of Etruscan hoplites – with round shields, spears and helmets in a tightly closed phalanx. Particular attention was given to the protective technique of overlapping shields (sinaspismos) and the precise coordination in battle.
In addition, Ruva Leu offered three further presentations that provided a broader insight into Etruscan culture. One stand focused on cuisine and eating habits, another explored religious rituals and forms of divination, and a third highlighted beauty ideals and the social role of Etruscan women.
The presentation was met with great interest, and the feedback was consistently positive.
Our impressions
For us, Tarraco Viva 2025 was a special experience in many ways. It was the first time we focused on such an early historical period, the first time we took part in an event in Spain, and the first time we stood side by side with the group Ruva Leu in the field. And it was truly fantastic!
Portraying the Etruscan period brought us great joy not only during the event itself, but already in the preparation phase. The in-depth research and the creation of the necessary equipment were both exciting and educational.
The event itself offered a fantastic atmosphere, and the ancient backdrop of Tarragona was the perfect setting for this historical period. In a rainy German forest, hoplites would likely have made far less of an impression.
We formed a strong international team made up of Slovaks, Texans, numerous Italians, and the two of us – German and Belgian – together in the Spanish city of Tarragona. Despite our differences and occasional language barriers, we worked together seamlessly and got along from the very beginning, with the help of the Google Translate app when needed.
We are especially grateful for the new friendships and the warm welcome into Ruva Leu’s “lion family.” We’re very much looking forward to everything that lies ahead!
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More InformationMore information:
- Tarraco Viva! Website of the event
- Ruva Leu Website of the group