Plaça dels Carros

Plaça dels Carros is a historic square in the lower part of Tarragona, in the port district (Barri del Port), right next to the train station and the entrance to the port area. It's a place where the city has always met the trading sea — and that history is still visible in the architecture and layout of the space.

How to get there?

The square sits in the easily accessible lower part of Tarragona, a few minutes' walk from Tarragona train station, making it a natural starting point for exploring the port side of the city. From the historic center (Part Alta), it's about a 15–20 minute walk, mostly downhill toward the sea. The area is well connected to the rest of Tarragona by bus lines serving the port district.

What will you see?

The earliest records of the square date to 1807, when land from an orchard was ceded to the Port Works Board to build the port's main square, along with a street connecting it to the rest of the city. The name "dels Carros" (of the carts) refers to the horse-drawn carts that gathered here on their way to the port, hauling trade goods.

The square has changed names repeatedly depending on the political era: it has been known as Plaça del Mar, del Moll, del Port, Major, Principal, Plaça de Ferran VII in 1814, Plaça d'Olózaga in 1868, Plaça del President Macià between 1931 and 1936, and Plaça del General Sanjurjo in 1940. Today it has returned to its popular, historic name.

At the center of the square, a fountain was built in 1837 for the animals that transported goods — a practical piece of infrastructure for its time. In 1866, a statue of Mercury, the Roman god of commerce, was added to it, the work of Francesc Barba and sculptor Miró — a symbolic nod to the square's and the port's trading role.

Among the surrounding buildings, look out for the Port Works Board building from 1923 and the former house of Melcior Lloveras from 1861, both of which have survived to this day. Not every historic building was so fortunate — the Chamber of Commerce building from 1926 (designed by architect Monravà) and the Corbella house from 1847 no longer stand in their original form.

A modern addition to the square is the Mercat de la Pagesia, the city's newest market, opened in 2021 and located close to the sea. Here, local producers sell fresh goods, and the atmosphere blends the square's trading tradition with contemporary city life.

Port Tarragona has plans for a further redevelopment of the square, integrating it with the surrounding port area through a tram line, a bike lane, an amphitheater, and an underground passage leading to the Moll de Costa wharf — a project intended to reconnect the city with its port.

When to visit?

The square can be visited year-round, but spring and autumn are the best times, when temperatures in Tarragona are pleasant and the Mercat de la Pagesia runs on its normal schedule. It's worth timing a visit for market days to see the square at its liveliest and most commercially active — closest to its historic function.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where does the name Plaça dels Carros come from? The name refers to the horse-drawn carts that gathered in the square on their way to the port, carrying trade goods — hence "dels Carros," meaning "of the carts."

What does the statue on the fountain represent? The statue depicts Mercury, the Roman god of commerce, added in 1866 as a symbolic reference to the square's trading role and its connection to the neighboring port.

Can you shop at the square? Yes — it's home to the Mercat de la Pagesia, Tarragona's newest city market, opened in 2021, where local producers sell fresh goods.

Will the square change in the coming years? Port Tarragona is planning a redevelopment that includes a tram line, a bike lane, an amphitheater, and an underground passage to the Moll de Costa wharf, aimed at better connecting the square with the port.