Salou History Facts and Timeline

(Salou, Catalonia, Spain)

The Spanish coastal town of Salou has been a vital port since the Greeks first used it millennia ago. The history of Salou is peppered with important events throughout the evolution of Spain, as the country evolved into a medieval powerhouse and modern nation.

Today, however, the town is better known for attracting tourists to its string of beaches and major entertainment venues.

Greeks and Romans

It is known that Salou was being used as a port by the Greeks as far back as the 6th century BC. Its location on a small protected peninsula made it an ideal natural harbour, giving it a prominent role in the history of Salou and this section of Spain's Catalonian coastline.


The town first appears in historical writings from the 4th century BC. The Romans called it Salauris, and it was one of their most important commercial ports in this area.

Port of Conquest

Several notable events of conquest punctuate the history of Salou during the medieval era. In the year of 1229, James I of Aragon departed from the town's port with a fleet that soon conquered the Balearic Islands. This led to the creation of the Kingdom of Mallorca. Years later in 1286, Alfonso III of Aragon finished the job when he sailed out of Salou to conquer Menorca, the last Muslim holdout in the Balearics.

Pirates

In the 1300s and 1400s, Salou's history was marked by its popularity with Mediterranean pirates. The harbour and town were largely under the influence of pirates for many decades, making Salou a lawless and dangerous place. Frustrated by this ongoing situation, the Archbishop of Tarragona ordered a defensive tower to be constructed in 1530. Named the Torre Vella, this tower is now one of the historical highlights of the town.

Tourism

During the 19th and 20th centuries, the history of Salou turned away from its traditional role as a commercial port and the town embraced tourism. In 1865, the railway made its way here, opening up Salou to a century of development that brought with it the tourism boom and a new form of prosperity to residents.

The Faro de Salou lighthouse was built during this era of tourism development, while the large commercial ships were gradually replaced by yachts and holiday charter boats. A host of hotels and restaurants soon emerged in the town to cater to the tourists.

The town's string of pretty beaches and landscaped seaside promenade has made it one of the most popular resorts on Spain's Costa Daurada. The PortAventura theme park is Spain's most visited amusement park and the main attraction of modern Salou, a town which looks set to prosper for decades to come.