Roman Amphitheatre of Tarragona

Set dramatically above the Mediterranean shore, this Roman amphitheatre once hosted gladiatorial contests for the citizens of Tarraco. Carved partly into the hillside in the second century, its elliptical tiers of seating look out over the sea, and the remains of a Visigothic church and a later medieval chapel occupy the arena floor, marking the spot where Christians were martyred. Part of the UNESCO-listed ensemble of the ancient city, the site combines classical ruins with a coastal outlook striking in the early light.