Tarragona Roman Spain: Have You Been Thinking Of The Roman Empire?
By Max Milano (Travel Writer & Photographer)
It's late at night, and darkness engulfs us as I drive southbound on Highway AP-7 between Barcelona and Tarragona. I am thinking of the Roman Empire because Highway AP-7 follows the ancient Roman road, the Via Augusta, which once linked Cadiz with Rome.
Traffic is light, but mosquitoes swarm the car, challenging visibility. Our windshield wiper fluid is exhausted, leaving smeared bugs obstructing the view.
Every few kilometers, electronic signs in Catalan, French, English, and Castilian warn about highway robbers.
I smirk, imagining Roman travelers worrying about highwaymen.
A sign announces a pit stop to view the "Pont del Diable," the Devil's Bridge. There's no mention of its Roman origins, Emperor Augustus's involvement, or its 2000-year history—just "The Devil's Bridge," a name very fitting for a robbery spot under this night's cloak.