Tarragona, capital of Hispania Citerior during the Roman empire, preserves many buildings from this period. The walls surrounding the historic centre were built in the 3^rd century BC., although they were altered in the medieval period. Beside the sea stand the terraces of the Roman amphitheatre which, in its day, (2^nd C.), had capacity for more than 12,000 people. Here they attended combats between gladiators and wild animals.
The former Tarraco also had a theatre and a circus. The theatre, outside the walled enclosure and nowadays on the Archaeological Walk, took advantage of the difference in levels in this area to built the terracing. Around the Plaça de la Font are preserved the vaults that supported the cavea (terracing) of the circus, an area where chariot races were held.