Vila-seca

Vila-seca
Vila-seca
Municipality
	Sant Esteve church
	Coat of arms
	Vila-seca Location in Catalonia
	Coordinates:41°06′39″N1°08′42″E/ 41.11083°N 1.14500°E
Country	Spain
Community	Catalonia
Province	Tarragona
Comarca	Tarragonès
Government
• Type	Mayor–council
• Body	Ajuntament de Vila-seca
•Mayor	Josep Poblet Tous (2015)(CiU)
Area
• Total	21.6 km2(8.3 sq mi)
Elevation (AMSL)	42 m (138 ft)
Population (2018)
• Total	22,107
• Density	1,000/km2(2,700/sq mi)
Demonym(s)	vila-secà,vila-secana; vila-secano,vila-secana
Postal code	43480
Area code	+34 (Spain) 977 (Province)
Website	vila-seca.cat

Vila-seca(Catalan pronunciation:[ˈbiləˈsɛkə];literally 'Dry-town') is a municipality of thecomarcaofTarragonès,in the province ofTarragona,inCatalonia,Spain. The historical name wasVila-seca de Solcinaand since the 80's known asVila-seca i SalouuntilSalouwas segregated from Vila-seca on 1989, however the municipality includes the urban areas ofLa PlanaandLa Pineda.Vila-seca has a largepetrochemical complexshared withTarragonaandLa Canonja,includingRepsolcomplex inEl Morellmakes one of the greatest petrochemical areas of Europe likeLudwigshafen am Rhein.

History

Different remains show that the city was populated during the times ofAncient Rome.The population settled in Vila-seca after the reconquest in 1162 when KingAlfonso II of Aragongave these lands to Ramón de Olzina. Its donation to this family was confirmed by KingPeter II of Aragonin 1208.

During theMiddle Ages,there was another town known as Vilaseca del Comú, which neighboured Vila-seca as owned by the Olzinas. The former belonged to the Archbishop ofTarragonauntil 1525, which the unification of the two towns was decreed, created the city of Vila-seca as it is known today.

Vila-seca actively participated in the defense of the port ofSalou,gaining on several occasions ownership of it. The port was a strategic military position and an important source of income. For a long time, it was considered the port of all of the people who made up the Comuna del Camp, until KingFerdinand II of Aragonbanned its use. Vila-seca then became the main port, leading to the city suffering several attacks from Berber pirates. A watchtower and a defense tower were built to protect the city from corsair attacks.

During theReapers' War,the city was occupied by troops under KingPhilip IV of Spain.Many of the city's defenders were executed and both the church and townhall were burnt down. Vila-seca's population also suffered large losses during thePeninsular War.

At the end of the twentieth century, Salou separated from Vila-seca, becoming its own municipality.

Tourism

In recent years the municipality has become popular with tourists, as La Pineda has experienced a revitalisation to include an improved choice of hotels, an updated beachfront, while including an array of attractions such as theaquopoliswater park withdolphinandsea lionexhibitions and the nightlife hotspot,Pacha.

The area is served byReus Airport,which operates many low cost and charter flights to destinations around Europe and North Africa.Barcelona Airportalso serves the area.

Retail

Vila-Seca has a variety ofretail,mainly independent stores and restaurants, and is served by aLidlbuilt circa2007.^[4]and also has aMcDonald'son the main Raval de la Mar road into the town.