Cartagena is a majestic and original Spanish city located on the Mediterranean coast, in the province of Murcia:
- Population: 215,418 (total), 23,904 (foreigners);
- Area: 558.08 km2;
- Airports: Murcia – San Javier (30 km), Alicante – Elche (120 km).
Having a great geographical location, this city can boast a large sea harbor, developed industry, favorable climate and fertile land. At the end of the XIX century, the Russian Universal Encyclopedia of Brockhaus and Efron described Cartagena as follows:
This is a fortified seaside city and one of the largest ports in the Mediterranean, which is both a military and commercial harbor along with Cadiz and Ferrol.
Inhabitants, according to the encyclopedia, were accounted for almost three times less than now – about 76 thousand, but the city’s industry was already fairly developed. The port of Cartagena exported both lead and iron ore, as well as agricultural foodstuffs – meal, fruits and vegetables. And also, shipbuilding, production of sailing canvases, hemp yarn and other important items for ship’s industry flourished in the city.
In the surroundings of Cartagena, there were a lot of mills, a glass factory, and even a silver alloy workshop. Nearby, in the Sierra Cortina mountains, there were lead, copper and iron mines, where about 12 thousand local workers were toiled. A remarkable salt lake with a man-made channel to the sea is placed to the North of these mountains.
History of Cartagena
No wonder that the city with such an impressive list of advantages is distinguished by the rich and eventful history, during which Cartagena was the target of territorial claims on several occasions on the part of the Carthaginians, then the Romans, the Germanic and Arab invaders, until finally, in the early sixteenth century, it established itself under the Spanish crown. The following is a summary of those events:
- VI century BC – the first Iberian settlement on the site of today’s city called Mastia. Then the Carthaginians entered these lands, founded their city in 227 BC, and it was giventhe current name (with regard to the meaning of the word), and it sounded slightly different – Qart Hadasht, which could be translated as «New City». Praising its importance, the Carthaginians appointed Qart Hadasht as the capital of their lands, and that’s where they began to organize campaigns to the lands of the Roman Empire.
- 209 BC – Led by the Roman General Scipio, as a result of new conquests, Qart Hadasht passed into the Roman domain and was called in a new manner – Carthago Nova, which corresponds to the meaning of «New Carthage». It has become already the third Spanish city, a Roman colony, which, however, resulted in new opportunities. The inhabitants of the «New Carthage» received such benefits from Roman civilization as, for example, the action of the Roman Law Court for citizens and theatrical entertainment.
- VI century AD, the great Roman Empire fell and the Germanic kingdoms were formed. Carthago Nova was conquered by the Byzantine Emperor, Justinian I, which again led to a city’s name change. Now it was called Cartago Spartaria and, not losing its importance, the city became the capital of the Byzantine possessions on the territory of Spain.
- In 622, the city was almost destroyed by the Visigoths. However, the subsequent Arab rule led to its gradual restoration and new prosperity, accompanied, as usual, by another name change, now sounding like Qartayannat-al-Halfa.
- In 1296, the long-suffering city was conquered by King Jaime II of Aragon, making it part of the Kingdom of Valencia. According to the established tradition, the name of the city was changed again, and finally, this was known to usCartagena. At the very beginning of the XVI century, Queen Isabella I of Castile, introduced Cartagena to the unified Kingdom of Spain.
- XVI-XVII centuries made Cartagena a defensive base for the Royal galleys. From here, ships were sent to the Spanish crown’s possessions in North Africa, Italy, and Turkey.
- In the XIX century, the era of Spanish rule in the seas was replaced by a new regime, which caused the loss of former colonies. Cartagena becomes one of the most important locations for Spanish fleets. But this port was now not only of military significance. Since the beginning of the XX century, the mining industry has been rapidly developed in the city, thanks to the mines located in the vicinity.
- In 1939, on the outbreak of World War II, the troops of dictator Franco entered Cartagena. The tight regime stifled political freedoms, but favored the further development of industry, in particular, shipbuilding.
Currently, the city of Cartagena is of great cultural, industrial and tourist importance in Spain.
Attractions of Cartagena
The bright history of the city is captured in the architectural appearance of Cartagena and its immediate surroundings. Many attractions are concentrated in the old downtown.
The Roman theater of Cartagena (El Teatro Romano de Cartagena): this is an antique theater and museum. The structure was found during archaeological excavations in the late 80-ies of the last century, and its restoration was carried out under the direction of the famous architect – Raphael Moneo.
Address: Palacio Pascual del Riquelme, Plaza Ayuntamiento, 9, 30202 Cartagena, Murcia
Working hours:
- Tuesday-Saturday: 10:00-20:00
- Sunday: 10:00-14:00.
- Monday: Closed.
- Phone number: +34 968 50 48 02.
- Website: teatroromanocartagena.org
The Cartagena Cathedral of Santa Maria La Vieja (Catedral de Santa María la Vieja)
The Cathedral of Santa Maria La Vieja or the Old Cathedral previously served as the seat of the diocese of Cartagena, before it moved to the city of Murcia in the 13th century. Located on the hill by the same name, in the heart of the down town of Cartagena, the Cathedral has been in ruins since 1939, when it suffered the consequences of bombing by Franco supporters.
The actual date of construction is difficult to establish, because of the last reconstruction, made in the early XX century by the modernist architect Víctor Beltrí, significantly changed its appearance. So, after the restoration work, numerous modernist elements that are not related to the early building of Roman times were identified. Some late 18th-century plans showed that the structure, which preceded Beltrí’s reconstruction followed the style of a Gothic-Levantine temple.
Currently, the Cathedral is in ruins and there are no special excursions, but it can be visited independently as part of walking around the Museum and amphitheater located nearby.
- Address: Calle Segundilla, 7, 30202 Cartagena, Murcia
The Carthaginian (Punic) wall of Cartagena (La muralla púnica de Cartagena)
This building dates back to the third century BC. In the past, it outlined the boundaries of the city, and now it is one of the well-preserved defensive structures of the Carthaginians, since the Second Punic war (218 BC). Due to the fact that this architectural ensemble has historical value for Spain, today it is maintained in good condition and declared a historical monument.
- Address: Centro de Interpretación de la Muralla Púnica, Calle San Diego, 25, 30202 Cartagena, Murcia
- Phone number: +34 968 50 00 93
- Working hours:
- Tuesday-Sunday: 10:00-19:00
- Monday: Closed
The House of Fortune (La Casa de la Fortuna)
The House of Fortune was discovered during archaeological excavations and it is a Roman house of the first century BC. The entrance to this museum is located on the side of Plaza de Risueñosquare.
The house was given its unusual name because of the Latin inscription written above the entrance – Fortuna propitia, which means «fate» or «luck». The idea of the inscription is that anyone who steps through the door of this house, will be blessed with good luck.
This museum has the features of a typical Roman house of those times, such as a tablinum or vestibule, an entrance hall; cubiculum or bedroom; triclinium – a living room where large banquets were held. During the tour of the House of Fortune, visitors will be shown ancient jewelry and household items found during excavations, such as porcelain, coins, lamps and personal jewelry.
- Address: Plaza de Risueño, 14, 30202 Cartagena, Murcia
- Working hours:
- Tuesday-Saturday: 10:30-15:30
- Monday: Closed
- Phone number: +34 968 50 00 93
The Concepción castle (El castillo de la Concepción o de Asdrúbal)
This castle is a medieval structure of the XIII or XIV century, located on the hill of the same name, towering over Cartagena and its port. This truly beautiful and majestic building is not without reason depicted on the city’s coat of arms.
According to the Greek historian Polybius, a temple dedicated to the God Aesculapius stood on the hill in the Roman era. In the XII century, the castle survived the Arab conquest, and in the XIII it belonged to King Alfonso X «the Wise»: nevertheless, the castle of Concepción lived through all events and actually it is now restored as a museum.
- Address: Parque Torres, Calle Gisbert, 10, 30202 Cartagena, Murcia
- Working hours:
- Tuesday-Saturday: 10:00-10:00
- Monday: Closed
- Phone number: +34 968 50 00 93
The Basilica of Our Lady of Grace charities (La Real Basílica de Nuestra Señora de la Caridad)
The Basilica of Our Lady of Grace charities is a neoclassical Catholic church dedicated to the patron saint of the city, whose image on the walls of the church dates back to the 8th century and belongs to the Neapolitan school of art.
The building has many sculptures, including the crucified Christ, as well as a Rococo altar and chapel. The walls of the Basilica are decorated with paintings by the famous artist Manuel Ussel de Guimbardavat the end of the XIX century.
The Basilica of Our Lady of Grace charities and it’s beautiful exterior are complemented by an abundance of gold and purple colors, elegant architecture and many decorative elements.
- Address: Parque Torres, Calle Gisbert, 10, 30202 Cartagena, Murcia
- Working hours:
- Tuesday-Saturday 10:00-10:00
- Monday Closed
- Phone number: +34 968 50 00 93
The Palace of congresses «El Batel» (Palacio de Congresos El Batel)
The concert hall and Congress Palace is an architectural ensemble built in the port of Cartagena, next to the National Museum of underwater archaeology.
This building is the result of a collaboration between Madrid architects José Selgas and Lucía Cano, whose design was recognized as the best in the 2001 international competition. The Palace was designed as a multifunctional building, and acts simultaneously as a theater, concert hall and congress hall. This is an incredibly spectacular modern building, especially beautiful by walking along the embankment at night, in bright neon lights.
- Address: Paseo Alfonso XII, S/N, 30201 Cartagena, Murcia
- Working hours:
- Monday-Saturday: 10:00-21:00
- Sunday: Closed
- Phone number: +34 968 12 38 27
- Website: auditorioelbatel.es
Considering the rich past, the mix of epochs and cultures in the image of Cartagena, there are a lot of worth seeing things here. The city is remarkable, starting right from the bus station: the structure was built on the territory of a former factory, and its original element is a real factory pipe! This idea came to the mind of the Madrid architect Jesús Carball al Fernández, whose project was awarded the main prize of the national competition in 1995.
And exploring the surroundings of Cartagena, operating mills that carry out their work for hundreds of years can be discovered. They are so interesting because of their atypical design: there are special sails in their blades that contribute to more efficient rotation. One of these mills, Casa Molino del Monte Sacro, was recently opened to the public after reconstruction. Other mills, and there are about two hundred of them, are also planned to be restored in stages, because they have already become a real cultural heritage of Cartagena.
The Beaches of Cartagena
Although the coastline of Cartagena stretches for more than 30 km, the main city beach is considered to be Cala Cortina. This beach is located in a picturesque bay, a 10-minute drive from the city center.
Like most beaches on the Costa Blanca, Cala Cortina is well-equipped and has all that’s needed for a comfortable stay, including cafes and bars. The water on this beach is very clean and has an unusual turquoise color. A little above the beach, there is free parking and you can see an abandoned fort.
- Length of the beach: 250 m
- Average width: 15 m
- Type of beach: Bay
- Lifeguard stand: Yes
- Medical post: Yes
- Access for people with disabilities: Yes
- Landscapes: Yes
- Blue flag award: Yes
Other sandy beaches nearby are Islas Menores (25 km), Playa de Calblanque (28 km), Playa de Galua (31 km), Playa de Bahía (35 km), Playa de Nares (36 km), Playa del Castellar (36 km).
