Tárrega

Tárrega is a municipality in the province of Lleida, in Catalonia, Spain. It is located in the western part of Catalonia and serves as a local center for surrounding rural communities. The town has a historic center that preserves elements from the medieval and early modern periods and hosts local fairs and cultural events.

Francisco Tárrega (Francisco Tárrega y Eixea; Catalan Francesc Tàrrega i Pujol; 1852–1909) was a Spanish classical guitarist and composer who is widely regarded as a founder of modern classical guitar technique. Born in Villarreal, Castellón, he studied guitar and composition in several Spanish cities and spent much of his career in Barcelona. Tárrega composed original works for solo guitar and made numerous arrangements that expanded the instrument's repertoire. Among his best-known pieces are Recuerdos de la Alhambra and Lágrima. His teaching and method books influenced later generations of guitarists, including Andrés Segovia and Emilio Pujol.

The surname Tárrega is of Catalan origin and is associated with both the town and the composer, reflecting the historical ties between geography and family names in the region.