In the Roman world, the circus was the place where chariot and horse races were held.

It was a long rectangular space with the carceres at one end. These were the boxes from which the chariots exited to race seven times around the euripus or spina, situated in the centre of the track. The track, or arena, was surrounded by tiers of seating built on vaults where the spectators sat.

In Tarraco the Circus was situated at the foot of the Provincial Forum, on the site partly occupied today by the Plaça de la Font. It formed part of the monumental complex of the Upper Part of the city and was built in the last quarter of the 1st century AD, in the Flavian period, probably under the emperor Domitian.

Archaeological excavations show us that by around the year 500 AD, the Circus had been abandoned and was in poor condition. From the 8th century until the present day the area has been built over.

The layout of the streets and squares in this area has been conditioned by the remains of the Circus, a large part of whose structure has been preserved inside the houses. The stone seat and podium parapet found here was originally situated about two metres above the level of the arena and was found in one of these houses. The square-shaped holes in the podium parapet may have been used to hold a railing to protect the spectators.