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:<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Inhabitants, according to the encyclopedia, were accounted for almost three times less than now \u2013 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 \u2013 meal, fruits and vegetables. And also, shipbuilding, production of sailing canvases, hemp yarn and other important items for ship\u2019s industry flourished in the city.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
History of Cartagena<\/h2>\n
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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:<\/p>\n
- \n
- VI century BC<\/strong> \u2013 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 \u2013 Qart Hadasht, which could be translated as \u00abNew City\u00bb. Praising its importance, the Carthaginians appointed Qart Hadasht as the capital of their lands, and that\u2019s where they began to organize campaigns to the lands of the Roman Empire.<\/li>\n
- 209 BC \u2013 Led by the Roman General Scipio<\/strong>, as a result of new conquests, Qart Hadasht passed into the Roman domain and was called in a new manner \u2013 Carthago Nova, which corresponds to the meaning of \u00abNew Carthage\u00bb. It has become already the third Spanish city, a Roman colony, which, however, resulted in new opportunities. The inhabitants of the \u00abNew Carthage\u00bb received such benefits from Roman civilization as, for example, the action of the Roman Law Court for citizens and theatrical entertainment.<\/li>\n
- VI century AD<\/strong>, 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\u2019s 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.<\/li>\n
- In 622<\/strong>, 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.<\/li>\n
- In 1296<\/strong>, 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.<\/li>\n
- XVI-XVII centuries<\/strong> 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.<\/li>\n
- In the XIX century<\/strong>, 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.<\/li>\n
- In 1939<\/strong>, 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.
\nCurrently, the city of Cartagena is of great cultural, industrial and tourist importance in Spain.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nAttractions of Cartagena<\/h2>\n
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\nThe 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.<\/p>\nThe Roman theater of Cartagena (El Teatro Romano de Cartagena)<\/strong>: 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 \u2013 Raphael Moneo.<\/p>\n
The Roman theater of Cartagena (El Teatro Romano de Cartagena):<\/div>\nAddress: Palacio Pascual del Riquelme, Plaza Ayuntamiento, 9, 30202 Cartagena, Murcia
\nWorking hours:<\/p>\n- \n
- Tuesday-Saturday: 10:00-20:00<\/li>\n
- Sunday: 10:00-14:00.<\/li>\n
- Monday: Closed.<\/li>\n
- Phone number: +34 968 50 48 02.<\/li>\n
- Website: teatroromanocartagena.org<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
The Cartagena Cathedral of Santa Maria La Vieja (Catedral de Santa Mar\u00eda la Vieja)<\/h3>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The actual date of construction is difficult to establish, because of the last reconstruction, made in the early XX century by the modernist architect V\u00edctor Beltr\u00ed, 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 Beltr\u00ed\u2019s reconstruction followed the style of a Gothic-Levantine temple.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
- \n
- Address: Calle Segundilla, 7, 30202 Cartagena, Murcia<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
The Carthaginian (Punic) wall of Cartagena (La muralla p\u00fanica de Cartagena)<\/h3>\n
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.<\/p>\n
- \n
- Address: Centro de Interpretaci\u00f3n de la Muralla P\u00fanica, Calle San Diego, 25, 30202 Cartagena, Murcia<\/li>\n
- Phone number: +34 968 50 00 93<\/li>\n
- Working hours:<\/li>\n
- Tuesday-Sunday: 10:00-19:00<\/li>\n
- Monday: Closed<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
The House of Fortune (La Casa de la Fortuna)<\/h3>\n
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 Risue\u00f1osquare.<\/p>\n
The house was given its unusual name because of the Latin inscription written above the entrance \u2013 Fortuna propitia, which means \u00abfate\u00bb or \u00abluck\u00bb. The idea of the inscription is that anyone who steps through the door of this house, will be blessed with good luck.<\/p>\n
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 \u2013 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.<\/p>\n
- \n
- Address: Plaza de Risue\u00f1o, 14, 30202 Cartagena, Murcia<\/li>\n
- Working hours:<\/li>\n
- Tuesday-Saturday: 10:30-15:30<\/li>\n
- Monday: Closed<\/li>\n
- Phone number: +34 968 50 00 93<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
The Concepci\u00f3n castle (El castillo de la Concepci\u00f3n o de Asdr\u00fabal)<\/h3>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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 \u00abthe Wise\u00bb: nevertheless, the castle of Concepci\u00f3n lived through all events and actually it is now restored as a museum.<\/p>\n
- \n
- Address: Parque Torres, Calle Gisbert, 10, 30202 Cartagena, Murcia<\/li>\n
- Working hours:<\/li>\n
- Tuesday-Saturday: 10:00-10:00<\/li>\n
- Monday: Closed<\/li>\n
- Phone number: +34 968 50 00 93<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
The Basilica of Our Lady of Grace charities (La Real Bas\u00edlica de Nuestra Se\u00f1ora de la Caridad)<\/h3>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
- \n
- Address: Parque Torres, Calle Gisbert, 10, 30202 Cartagena, Murcia<\/li>\n
- Working hours:<\/li>\n
- Tuesday-Saturday 10:00-10:00<\/li>\n
- Monday Closed<\/li>\n
- Phone number: +34 968 50 00 93<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
The Palace of congresses \u00abEl Batel\u00bb (Palacio de Congresos El Batel)<\/h3>\n
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\nThe concert hall and Congress Palace is an architectural ensemble built in the port of Cartagena, next to the National Museum of underwater archaeology.<\/p>\nThis building is the result of a collaboration between Madrid architects Jos\u00e9 Selgas and Luc\u00eda 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.<\/p>\n
- \n
- Address: Paseo Alfonso XII, S\/N, 30201 Cartagena, Murcia<\/li>\n
- Working hours:<\/li>\n
- Monday-Saturday: 10:00-21:00<\/li>\n
- Sunday: Closed<\/li>\n
- Phone number: +34 968 12 38 27<\/li>\n
- Website: auditorioelbatel.es<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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 Jes\u00fas Carball al Fern\u00e1ndez, whose project was awarded the main prize of the national competition in 1995.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The Beaches of Cartagena<\/h2>\n
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\nAlthough 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.<\/p>\n
- Address: Calle Segundilla, 7, 30202 Cartagena, Murcia<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- 209 BC \u2013 Led by the Roman General Scipio<\/strong>, as a result of new conquests, Qart Hadasht passed into the Roman domain and was called in a new manner \u2013 Carthago Nova, which corresponds to the meaning of \u00abNew Carthage\u00bb. It has become already the third Spanish city, a Roman colony, which, however, resulted in new opportunities. The inhabitants of the \u00abNew Carthage\u00bb received such benefits from Roman civilization as, for example, the action of the Roman Law Court for citizens and theatrical entertainment.<\/li>\n