Historic Tortosa

Tortosa is the city of the Catalan Renaissance. Founded by Charles V to educate the Moors, the Royal Colleges of Tortosa are the city’s crown jewels and a key component of the Catalan Renaissance movement. The architectural complex known as the Royal Colleges is made up of three buildings: the College of Sant Jaume and Sant Maties (which houses the Baix Ebre County Archive), the College of Sant Jordi and Sant Domènec (which currently serves as the headquarters of the Official School of Languages) and the Church of Sant Domènec (currently the Renaissance Interpretation Centre). The courtyard of the College of Sant Jaume and Sant Maties is considered unique in Catalonia. It features the busts of the kings of the Crown of Aragon, from Ramon Berenguer IV to Philip IV.