Abstract:

Biblical Museum Tarraconense is located in the building known as the Casa dels Concilis, next to the Cathedral. The building consists of a unique architectural palimpsest, indicative of the phenomenon that is the urban transformation of Mediterranean cities. Since 14th December 2020, the museum’s facilities have included a new interpretative space dedicated to explaining the historical evolution of Tarragona’s acropolis. This has become an effective tool to explain the topographical and urbanistic transformation of this historic city which, from its modest coastal hill, became the political and religious epicentre of a Roman provincial capital, and later the metropolitan see and primacy of the Spanish church. It is a new facility, which complements the visit to the Biblical Museum and to the historic centre of Tarragona. It also aims to promote the sharing of scientific knowledge by offering access to the results of scientific research carried out over the last twenty years. The publication Tarracropolis: a scientific journey through 2,000 years of history brings its contents together with museum pieces, images, architectural reconstructions, and a set of 3D reproductions that form part of the interpretative space. It joins two more publications: Praesidium, Templum et Ecclesia. Archaeological interventions at the Cathedral of Tarragona (2010-2011) (published 2012) and Amphiteatrum, Memoria Martyrum et Ecclesiae (2013). This trilogy is the result of its authors’ commitment to providing a tool for the transfer of knowledge. It combines research and museography with the aid of people, administrations and organisations who not only love heritage, but also understand it as an indispensable asset for the advancement of society.