Historical Heritage
Aside from this modernist flavour, Reus has other notable reminders of its history. The Priory Church of St. Pere, built in the 16th century on the site of a Romanesque church, with its emblematic bell tower, is the most impressive building of historical Reus and one of the city’s symbols. The Cambrer Castle is another remarkable building. Built in the 12th century, its gothic arches have survived to the present day. Those who want to learn more about Reus's heritage should visit the municipal archives and the city’s museums: the Museum of Art and History and the Salvador Vilaseca Archaeological Museum, which feature important historical, artistic and archaeological collections.
During the 18th and 19th centuries the town passed through a period of dramatic economic growth, which left its architectural mark in the form of three outstanding buildings: the Palau Bofarull (1770), the Centre de Lectura (1859) and the Teatre Fortuny (1882), one of Catalonia's leading theatres. Another essential part of getting to know the town is a stroll through the Plaça del Mercadal – the former market square – and the Plaça de Prim, veritable nerve centres of Reus life.