Cartagena: attractions and interesting places (with photos). Events and holidays. Cartagena and ancient sights

Cartagena is part of autonomous community Murcia, located in the southeast of the country. The city overlooks the Mediterranean coast and is a major seaport; in terms of population, it ranks second in the province, behind the capital.

The resort is located on a plain, surrounded on the northern side by the mountain ranges of El Puerto, Escalona, ​​Columbares, and on the southwest and south by La Muela and El Algarrobo. This makes the area quieter, protected from northern winds.

Cartagena has a very interesting history, and its advantageous location, on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, has made the city a “tidbit” for many rulers for centuries.

Despite the fact that many evidences of prehistoric settlements have been found in this territory, it is believed that the formation of a village on this site occurred in 227 BC by the decision of the Carthaginian general Gastrubal the Fair. In this way, the military leader was able to secure control over rich mineral deposits. The city at that time was called Quart Hadash, it gradually turned into the main Phoenician base. It was from Qart Hadash that a military campaign launched into Italy, which served as the beginning of the Second Punic War in 218 BC.

The city belonged to the Carthaginians until 209 BC, and then it was captured by the Romans, under the leadership of Scipio Africanus, and renamed Cartago Nova (translated as “New Carthage”). As a Roman colony, it flourished and developed, but fell into decline after the fall of the Western Roman Empire and began to be frequently attacked by Vandals and various external conquerors. Since 1245, Cartago Nova has been part of Castile, half a century later it passes to the Aragonese crown, and at the beginning of the 14th century it is returned back. All this time, Cartagena suffered decline, only in the 18th century, when it was turned into the capital of the Mediterranean Maritime Department, the strengthening of positions, the construction of a defensive wall, fortresses, and a Naval Hospital began.

In 1873, as a result of the Cantonal Revolution, the city was severely destroyed, after which gradual restoration began, giving Cartagena its modern features. The twentieth century became a stage of revival and development of energy, shipbuilding, and fertilizer production.

Today it is a thriving resort, but at the same time calm and provincial. It has become the most popular destination for tourism and recreation. Beautiful streets surrounded by greenery, medieval houses, taverns, unique attractions, magnificent nature and the Man Menor lagoon make it a place for romantics.

Climate and nature

Cartagena has a Mediterranean climate, characterized by mild winters, a large number of sunny days (about 300 per year) and fairly hot summers. In summer, the air temperature rises to 40 degrees, in winter (December-January) - an average of 11-12 degrees.

The beach season in Cartagena starts in April and ends in October. Warm sea, sun, sandy and clean beaches, favorable microclimate - all this increases the value of the city for the summer holidays of tourists with children.

The depth of Lake Man Menor allows the water to warm up in March, so lovers water sports, as well as those who want to improve their health in one of the health centers and mud baths located in the lagoon, open the season even this month. The waters of the salt lake are rich in salts, iodine, and minerals, so the best and most effective balneological procedures are carried out here.

What to see in Cartagena

The city will be appreciated by all admirers ancient history and architecture, here you can see with your own eyes unique monuments that are more than 20 centuries old.

Tourists always begin their sightseeing in Cartagena with the famous Roman Theater. Excavations discovered it in 1988. The theater was built between the 4th and 1st centuries BC, and was dedicated to Gaius Caesar and Lucio Caesar - these were the grandchildren of the famous Roman emperor Octavian Augustus. The theater capacity was six thousand spectators, the stands rose 14 meters in height. The theater existed until the 3rd century AD, then a Byzantine market was opened on its territory, which was later destroyed by fire. In the 13th century, construction of a Christian temple began on this site. Today, the Roman Theater has been restored as a historical monument, and there is also a museum here. At the same time, the ruins of the Cartagena Cathedral of Santa Maria la Vieja itself, which is also included in the list of national monuments, are also attractive to historians.

In Cartagena you can also see the preserved remains of the La Torre Ciega tower; this structure was part of the Necropolis and was used for burials by the Romans. You should definitely just walk along the beautiful streets of the city, visit the Arsenal, the Punic Bastion, see the House of Fate and the old lighthouse on Cape Palos.

You can have a wonderful time in Port Aventura - it's amusement park with a huge number of attractions, made like Disneyland. Walking through the park, you can find yourself in the Australian jungle, where, making your way through tropical vines, you can hear screams rare birds, see a wild animal. If desired, the Wild West with its cowboys will take visitors back to the time of the Gold Rush, and you can also see Ancient China with its pagodas and dragons. In the evenings, the park hosts various shows, performances, and fireworks.

For those who like active recreation, the Man Menor lagoon awaits. This is an ideal place for practicing any kind of sports, it offers diving, yacht racing, boat trips, kitesurfing, and deep-sea fishing. There are water parks on the shore.

Events and holidays

The most striking sight is the festival of the Carthaginians and Romans. The costume show takes place at the end of September and lasts 10 days. The main action is the battle of the Romans and Carthaginians in the 3rd century BC (it is reenacted in one of the vacant lots), for this purpose an improvised military camp is built, and local residents put on the armor of those times.

How to get to Cartagena

You can get here from Moscow by flight to Alicante airport, and from there by train it takes 1.5 hours.

Where to stay

The city has many hotels of varying degrees of comfort. In the center there is "Cartagena", from this hotel it is convenient to reach any attraction and to seaport. Not far from the bus station is the Carlos III Hotel, with modern and comfortable rooms in colorful designs with interesting art elements.

Among the cheap hotels you can pay attention to “Campomar”, “Pencion Manolo II”.

If you choose on the coast, then the super popular one is La Manga Club (with superior rooms, tennis courts, football and golf fields).

When going to Cartagena, do not forget that this is a resort city and the currency should be changed in advance. Hotels have exchangers, but the exchange rate is very high.

Buy detailed map city ​​to calmly walk along the beautiful streets and have time to see all the sights.

Cartagena is a typical Spanish city with a very interesting fate; its history began in ancient times. The city was founded by the Carthaginians in the 4th century BC. e. - it is to this people that it owes its name. The convenient coastal location determined the fate of the settlement as a major commercial and military-political center of Murcia. To this day, the gentle shores of Cartagena Bay are home to dozens of ships, and the city itself is an amazing concentration of many historical attractions and ruins from the Roman period. However, Cartagena does not live by the past alone. A magnificent resort area, a mild and warm climate, clean picturesque sandy beaches, a well-warmed sea that allows swimming from March to November - there is everything here to attract vacationers from all over Europe.

How to get to Cartagena

From Moscow, the best way to get to Cartagena is through Alicante. It is in this city, located 118 km away, that there is a large airport that receives regular flights from the Russian capital. The airport and resort are connected by regular bus service. Murcia Airport is also 35 km from Cartagena, but you can only fly here with a transfer in Madrid or Barcelona. The capital of Catalonia and the resort are connected by railway and bus service. The train takes about 8 hours and costs 65-85 EUR. The bus will cost 39-74 EUR. A shuttle transfer from Alicante airport costs only 8-12 EUR. The journey takes about 2 hours 30 minutes. Prices on the page are as of September 2018.

Search for flights to Alicante (the closest airport to Cartagena)

Beaches

In addition to architectural attractions, Cartagena also has wonderful beaches in the Costa Cálida resort area and the island of Islas del Rosario with coral reefs.

It is no exaggeration to say that some of the best beaches in Spain are concentrated here - more than 40 km of golden sand and the clear Mediterranean Sea. 7 beach areas are marked with Blue Flags. The Mar Menor Lagoon is famous not only for its beauty, but also for its ideal climate, allowing swimming, scuba diving and water sports almost all year round.

Cartagena Hotels

Most hotels in Cartagena are small three- and four-star hotels offering very affordable prices. A double standard room with breakfast costs 40-60 EUR. A good room in a 4* hotel with a sea view and a convenient location will cost from 86 EUR per night.

Cuisine and restaurants of Cartagena

Murcian cuisine is based on fish, meat and fruit dishes. The calling card of the region is caldero soup with rice in fish broth. For the main course they offer peas, baked artichokes and beans (the latter is used to prepare the popular local stew “michirons” with potatoes and jamon). Meat lovers will appreciate the stewed rabbit and smoked sausage.

Dinner in a good Mediterranean restaurant will cost 25-30 EUR per person. You can spend an evening in a decent cafe specializing in seafood for 15-20 EUR. Well, a snack with a sandwich with jamon or a couple of tapas with a glass of beer will cost 5-9 EUR.

Guides in Cartagena

Entertainment and attractions

The rich Roman past has left a significant imprint on the city's architecture. Thus, in Cartagena, fragments of the ancient forum, baths and amphitheater have been preserved. More detailed information about the history of this period is presented in the Municipal Archaeological Museum. The era of the Carthaginians left behind the ruins of the Punic bastion of 227 BC. e., the oldest fortress wall of the city. By the way, the latter was built in the 18th century. Part of the Necropolis has also been preserved - the tower of La Torre Ciega. Other important attractions: the Cathedral, the palaces of the Consistory, Maestre and Aguirre.

In 1980, they opened in Cartagena unique museum, specializing in underwater archaeology. Its exhibition offers an opportunity to get acquainted with finds from the pre-Roman, Phoenician era.

Among the monuments modern history The monument to Peral's submarine, erected on the embankment of Alfonso XII Boulevard, stands out. The boat is a prototype of the first Spanish submarine, designed by the outstanding engineer Isaac Peral in 1890.

It is pleasant to walk around Cartagena along the main pedestrian street of the city, Calle Mayor, starting from San Sebastian Square. Most of the houses located here are Art Nouveau monuments of the early 20th century. Among the buildings, the Cervantes House by architect Victor Betri stands out. Nearby is the Baroque Church of Santo Domingo from 1695 and the center of today's Cartagena - Plaza de España. This is a huge rotunda with a picturesque square and a fountain.

On the hill of Torres City Park there is Observation deck, from where there is a wonderful view of the ruins of the Roman Theater, the Cathedral and the port.

Cartagena hosts a large number of cultural events. On August 25, a local celebration of the monastery of San Gines de la Jaara is held, and in the town of Union, 10 km from Cartagena, there is a Flamenco Festival.

The stunning city of Cartagena in Spain, rich in historical architectural sights, is very popular with tourists, because it is also a great Mediterranean resort, comfortably located on beautiful peninsula Palos and belonging to the region of Murcia. This is a very ancient port city, whose history dates back to the times of antiquity, and since then it has been bringing priceless treasures to the whole world. cultural heritage, left by numerous already disappeared civilizations, different peoples who once inhabited it and left to their descendants many stunning historical sights and grandiose monuments. And today it is also an extremely popular Spanish resort on the hot Mediterranean coast of the Costa Calida, where there is an excellent climate and wonderful beaches.

History of Cartagena

Cartagena, or rather, as it was then called Qart Hadasht, was born in a cozy cove of the peninsula in 227 BC and owes its foundation to the famous Carthaginian military leader Hasdrubal the Handsome. It stood on the site of the oldest Iberian settlement - Mastia, because Hasdrubal was pleased with its favorable location for organizing a huge port here, both commercial and military. Less than two decades later, the city was recaptured by the Romans, led by Scipio, who renamed the settlement Carthago Nova. The Romans, great builders, began with the development of the city's infrastructure, in addition, they discovered deposits of minerals and silver here. In a short time, under the leadership of Emperor Octavian Augustus locality acquired everything necessary to characterize any Roman city: a Forum, a court and a theater. Soon Cartago Nova was considered the third most important Spanish colonial city. After the fall of Rome's power, the city was ruled by the Byzantines, Emperor Justinian the First ordered it to be renamed Cartago Spartaria. At the beginning of the seventh century, the city was captured by the Visigoths. Then in 734 the Arabs recaptured it, calling the city Qartayannat-al-Halfa, rebuilding it after destruction by the Visigoths and building many magnificent structures, very elegant and majestic - a mosque, a defensive fortress. Under Muslim rule, Cartagena again became powerful and significant. And in 1245, the city was recaptured by Christian soldiers led by the Aragonese king Alfonso the Tenth, who named the settlement Cartagena. Since 1503, by decree of Isabella the First, Queen of Castile, Cartagena was annexed to the Spanish kingdom. Many monasteries were built here for different orders, which had a significant influence on the cultural and religious component of urban life. But this became a period of decline for Cartagena, which lasted until the eighteenth century, until the center of the Maritime Department of the Mediterranean was formed here. At the same time, the city began to be strengthened, reconstructed, and new buildings built. In the nineteenth century, Cartagena's mining industry was booming, but the Cantonal Revolution happened here: the inhabitants rebelled and the city was completely destroyed. For the umpteenth time, its restoration and construction of ancient streets has begun, although now with buildings in a fashionable modern style. Today, the ancient city of Cartagena in Spain is a calendar of history, embodied in amazing architecture, in which it is easy to trace reminders of all the peoples who once occupied this territory, you just have to walk along the city streets, carefully examining antiquities and attractions. There are four periods for numerous Cartagena historical monuments: Roman, Baroque, Modernist, Contemporary.

Sights of Cartagena

Roman amphitheater(Teatro romano de Cartagena) - This is one of the most powerful and grandiose buildings of antiquity, dating back to the first century BC. It was once the largest theater of the Roman Empire in modern Spanish lands. The amphitheater was built under the rulers of the Flavian family; its stands were capable of accommodating up to six thousand spectators. For a long time, Cartagena residents did not know about the existence of this masterpiece of Roman architecture, because other ancient monuments were located on top of it - the Byzantine trading district and the Cathedral. At the end of the last century, excavations were carried out here and these majestic and colossal ruins were discovered: columns, elegant sculptural decorative details, partly an arena. The city authorities decided to do everything possible to preserve the ruins of the ancient Roman amphitheater for posterity; in addition, nearby there are no less interesting historical objects - the destroyed ancient bullring and the “Museum of the Roman Theater of Cartagena”. Scheduled to be on site soon archaeological excavations open the “Museum of Modern Art” for visitors so that they can get acquainted with the amazing sights of Cartagena: take a closer look at the amphitheater in the classical Roman style, built according to the ancient canons of architecture, see the messages carved on the wall dedicated to the grandchildren of the famous emperor Augustus - Lucius and Gaius Caesar. You will find Cartagena's ancient amphitheater in Plaza Condesa de Peralta, which intersects with Calle Segundilla. Opening hours: in winter from Tuesday to Saturday from ten in the morning to six in the evening, on Sunday from ten in the morning to two in the afternoon; in summer from Tuesday to Saturday from ten in the morning to eight in the evening, on Sunday from ten in the morning until two in the afternoon. The entrance is free.

Roman forum(Foro romano) is the main city market square and a place where people gathered to discuss important issues and events. The Roman architectural complex was built in the first century AD. It is a square, along its perimeter there are buildings and covered galleries. Previously, important religious, administrative, and judicial institutions of the city were located here. Today, tourists vacationing in Cartagena can visit the interesting museum. It is hidden under a canopy over the excavation area and invites visitors to get acquainted with the reconstruction of ancient premises for various purposes. And for complete information, it’s worth taking an audio guide, which is also available in Russian.

Augusteum(Augusteum) - part of the Roman Forum and an extension for the residence of priests-priests who carried out the cult of worship of Emperor Octavian Augustus. Unfortunately, now the building is ruins: the foundation, partly fragments of powerful walls and columns. But, even in these parts from the grandiose ancient building, scientists managed to recreate the appearance of the main hall, which was covered with marble slabs, and in the center stood a statue of the reigning emperor. Also, archaeologists found many interesting religious objects, fragments of interior decor, statues, including those of Emperor Augustus himself - they can be seen in the Archaeological Museum of Cartagena, located on Calle de Santiago Ramon y Cajal. The Augusteum itself is located on Caballero street, 2. Open from Tuesday to Sunday from ten in the morning to half past three in the afternoon, on Monday - a day off. The price of an adult ticket is two and a half euros, a reduced ticket is two euros, and for children under three years of age admission is free.

Punic Wall of Cartagena(Muralla punica de Cartagena) - The very first wall for the defense of the settlement of Cartagena, which was built by the Carthaginians in 227 BC. This is a unique landmark of the city because it is the little that tells about the presence of the Carthaginians in the Spanish territories, and it is also important that the wall survived the formidable Second Punic War. The city built by Hasdrubal needed a large defensive wall that could protect the local population from enemy attacks. And she was indeed able to withstand the attack of the Romans in 209, at the beginning of the Punic War, but not for long. The structure was powerful: two parallel walls made of sand blocks, three meters high and thirty meters long, covering the southern mountain slope Monte de San Jose, formerly called Aletes. This mountain is one of five ridges connected into one defensive chain that made Cartagena impregnable fortress. Now the Museum Center for the Study of the Punic Wall is open here, where you can see its initial appearance and visit the ancient underground premises of the Christian monastery of St. Jose.

House of Fate(Casa de la Fortuna) - A very interesting, although very small museum of the city of Cartagena - an ordinary residential building of the Roman period, built in the first century BC, with miraculously surviving examples of amazingly beautiful mosaics, laid out in pictures, preserved in fragments, but quite allowing you to understand the highest artistic level of its performer. At Casa de la Fortuna you can see beautiful wall paintings decorating interior interiors, relief decoration on the facade, made with great grace and skill of the ancient master. You will be able to visit all the rooms traditional for any Roman antique house: atrium, bedroom, celebration hall, study. And this house got its name thanks to the sign above its entrance, on which was inscribed: “Fortuna propitia,” that is, “I wish you good luck.”

Roman Baths of Cartagena- On the hill of Molinete along Calle Honda there is an archaeological excavation zone, where scientists are clearing the ruins of Roman baths from mounds of sand and earth, which previously stood on the main ancient street of this city - Decumanus Maximus, near the port and the Forum. Some of these thermal baths are located in the Plaza de los Tres Reyes; they were found in 1968, and soon the thermal furnace room and the swimming pool were discovered. By 1982, having carried out excavations on Onda Street, archaeologists found a “frigidarium” - a “cold room” room; there used to be a small pool with cold water, which was lined with marble slabs; in addition, they discovered a system for heating this room where the pool was located with hot water, called “caldarium”, and also an ancient sauna – “sudatio”. By 2008, they found a “palestra” - a hall where the Romans did physical exercises, as well as a water tank. Of course, much more has been done most interesting finds: various statues, household items and decorations - all of them were of the Roman era and covered the first - seventh centuries AD. Scientists managed to find out that the Roman baths were in operation until the fourth century, in the fifth century they were reconstructed, and in the sixth they were closed completely.

Blind Tower(La Torre Ciega) - This is a Roman necropolis of the first century AD and unique monument funerary culture of Rome on the territory of Spanish Cartagena. This monument is a microscopic part of a burial dedicated to the Roman proconsul Tito Didio, who ruled the territories of Near Spain in the ninety-fourth year BC. The tower is a pedestal of limestone blocks, topped by a prism, built in the typical Roman style of bricklaying - reticulata. The prism is crowned by a cornice, on which is mounted a cylinder for a funeral urn with ashes. Today the monument is in fairly good condition, but only thanks to the restoration carried out in the last century by master Pedro San Martin, who was able to restore the almost destroyed masterpiece of antiquity. Its poor preservation was not influenced by time, but only by human thirst for profit: until the eighteenth century, the necropolis was safe and sound, but rumors began to circulate among Cartagena residents that treasures were sealed inside the burials, so local residents began to punch holes in the masonry to find treasures. By the mid-twentieth century, the structure was in a deplorable state; simultaneously with restoration, excavations were also underway, but instead of treasures, they found the remains of ancient Romans in urns made of glass and ceramics, huge vases, ancient coins, tombstones, all of which you will see in the Archaeological Museum of Cartagena.

Cartagena Bullring- The building of the arena for holding traditional bullfights was built in the middle of the nineteenth century in just one month, and the construction of the building was carried out not by professional builders, but by prisoners of the local prison. The arena building turned out to be grandiose and included three tiers; it had eight thousand spectator seats, distributed in sectors: shady, sunny and mixed, as required by the Spanish canons of constructing bullfighting arenas. The Cartagena arena was included in the second category, according to this ranking, up to ten bullfights could take place here throughout the year. But in 2008, the structure was partially dismantled, ending up above part of the Roman amphitheater. Now tourists see elements and parts of its ancient antique walls and can look into the rooms located directly below the stands. The arena will soon become part of the single “Museum of Contemporary Art of the Murcia Region”.

Cathedral of Santa Maria la Vieja(La Catedral de Santa Maria la Vieja) - The ruins of an ancient Christian structure can be found in the historical center of Cartagena on Concepcion Hill. There is a legend about its construction that the Apostle James himself founded the cathedral so that it would become the first church of Spain, but detailed and accurate information about that period has not been preserved, except for superficial knowledge that before the onset of Muslim rule in Spanish lands, here in Cartagena there was a diocese, but not even a trace remained of it. When the reconquest of Murcia from the Muslims began in the middle of the thirteenth century, King Alfonso the Tenth of Castile asked Pope Innocent the Fourth to allow the restoration of the Cartagena diocese, to which consent was given and a bishop was sent - the Franciscan monk Pedro Gallego - the royal confessor. The next bishop, Garcia Martinez, moved the diocese to more Big City Murcia, and the main Cartagena church ceased to be a cathedral, becoming an ordinary parish church, as a result, the title “Old Cathedral” was assigned to it. But the Cartagena people did not stop asking the church authorities to move the diocese back and for this purpose they even erected a new building in the eighteenth century - the Church of Santa Maria de Gracia, suitable in size for organizing there cathedral. But the building did not stand for long, because it was erected on an old foundation, which collapsed. Of course, restoration was carried out and the new church in a beautiful Romanesque style again began to delight the eyes of the parishioners of Cartagena. Although the Spanish Civil War prevented it from becoming a cathedral again, when the long-suffering building was shelled by nationalists, then a prison was temporarily located here. Then the church remained abandoned, standing for decades waiting for a generous philanthropist who would allocate money for its restoration. The cathedral housed unique relics: a beautiful image of the Virgin Mary of Rosella, sculptural composition“Four Saints”, the sculpture “The Crucifixion of Christ Helping”, created in the sixteenth century, a Gothic altar image, however, now these rarities can be viewed in the “Archaeological Museum” of Cartagena.

Concepcion Castle(Castillo de la Concepcion) - The once formidable structure is located in the heart of Cartagena on the hilly hill of the same name. Concepción Castle was built in the twelfth century by the Arabs on the site of the ancient temple of the Roman healing god Aesculapius to protect the city and its inhabitants from regular raids by sea pirates. When Christians recaptured the city from Muslims, they built a fortress here, and the Arab buildings that survived destruction: walls and a lighthouse, were included as part of the new structure. The castle-fortress stood in highest point Cartagena, according to the plan, it is a square structure with towers at the corners and a pair of towers framing the entrance to the territory, they were called the “City Gate”. The lower city near the port was defended by walls erected in the distant sixth century, although now they are only ruins and small fragments. The port of Cartagena was of extreme importance in the thirteenth century, being the only sea outlet for the Kingdom of Castile. Therefore, the king ordered the establishment of the Order of St. Mary of Spain, authorized to conduct naval battles with the Arabs. This order turned out to be completely ineffective; it managed to lose almost all of its ships, then the king dissolved it. The port ceased to be important, and the castle was not completed. So it stood in the period from the fourteenth to the seventeenth centuries as a symbol of protection for the city and port of Cartagena, but by the eighteenth century it completely lost its defensive functionality, after the construction of coastal batteries capable of more effectively protecting the port in case of attack. In the last century they planned to demolish it, but later they changed their minds and allocated money for partial restoration. For the comfort of tourists, a forty-five-meter elevator was provided, although for those who like walking, we recommend going to the castle through a beautiful park, where the very same battery for protecting the port stands and there is a monument to the commander Hasdrubal, who founded Cartagena. Inside the Concepción Castle, the main attraction of Cartagena, depicted on the city coat of arms, there is a “Center for the Study of the History of Cartagena”, which occupies the Macho Tower. Tourists can take the panoramic elevator to Concepción Castle on Gisbert Street; the climb takes only a minute. Around the castle there is a charming Parque Torres, where wonderful gardens grow and there are ponds with peacocks and ducks; they are not afraid of tourists, and they happily feed them. The park has an observation deck with the best view of Cartagena and its main attractions: Roman ruins, port, here you can take great photos. You can visit Concepcion Castle: in summer from early July to mid-September - from ten in the morning to eight in the evening; from mid-March to the end of June - and from mid-September to the fourth of November - from ten in the morning to seven in the evening; from the fifth of November to mid-March - from ten in the morning to half past five in the evening. Entrance ticket price: adult – two euros; children from three to twelve years old - one euro; up to three years - free.

In addition to the Concepcion Castle in Cartagena, there are four more castles that are inextricably linked with significant historical events in Spain: Moorish Castle (Castillo de Los Moros), Galeras Castle (Castillo de Galeras), Atalaya Castle (Castillo de Atalaya), San Julian Castle (Castillo de San Julian ), - they all stand in positions advantageous from a military point of view, and two of them - Galeras and Atalaya - were built specifically for the defense of the Cartagena naval base. The other three castles were built before the War of the Spanish Succession by order of King Charles III, and their construction was entrusted to the engineers Juan Martin Kermeno and Mateo Vodopich.

Moorish castle(Castillo de Los Moros) - The Moorish castle on Mount Moors was the site from which the Duke of Berwick's warriors drove out the soldiers fighting for Charles of Austria in 1706 and then captured all of Cartagena. The defensive castle of Los Moros was built between 1773 and 1778 in the eclectic neoclassical style. The purpose of its construction was the defense of the hospital bastion, the Gate of Saint José, which framed the entrance to Cartagena. Since 1929, the Castle of the Moors ceased to be used as a defensive fort, it was abandoned, gradually homeless people began to settle here, and locals began to throw out garbage, so be careful if you decide to explore it yourself.

Galeras Castle(Castillo de Galeras) - It played a vital role during the Spanish Cantonal Revolution, becoming the site of the raising of the flag as a signal of attack by Republican opponents. A historical incident occurred there: the revolutionaries had no other flag at hand except the Turkish one, so they raised it above the castle, and an urgent telegram was sent to Madrid that the fortress had been captured by the Ottomans, but when the idea of ​​possible political consequences reached the fighters , they smeared the Turkish flag with blood, and raised it a second time, completely red.

Atalaya Castle(Castillo de Atalaya) - This fortress is often called the “Castle of Death”, this has been the tradition since the time of the Spanish Cantonal Revolution. Bloody battles were fought for it, as for a significant strategic point. It was here that the capitulation of the city of Cartagena was predetermined. The castle maintained its formidable title during the Civil War, becoming a base for Republicans who carried out torture and interrogations there for supporters of General Franco.

Castle of San Julián(Castillo de San Julian) - This fort is an important tourist attraction in Cartagena, Spain. At first there was only one tower, which was built by the British in 1706, after capturing the city during the War of the Spanish Succession. The castle-fortress was already erected by the Spaniards at the end of the eighteenth century on the mountain of the same name in order to protect the city harbor. During the Cantonal Revolution, the governor of Cartagena was killed here. Later, during the Civil War, which took place from 1936 to 1939, the neoclassical fortress became a prison for the military.

Arsenal- A large military complex built in the eighteenth century, including a shipyard and a naval base. The order for the construction of similar structures in Spain was given by Kings Philip the Fifth and Charles the Third, and the project was developed by engineers Sebastian Feringan and Mateo Vodopich. The Arsenal Tower is one of the most frequently photographed attractions of Cartagena by tourists.

Aguirre Palace(Palacio de Aguirre) - A luxurious mansion was erected in 1901 by order of Camilo Aguirre, a wealthy industrialist in Mercedes Square, on former lands monastery The palace was designed by Victor Beltri. During the Civil War, the palace was given over to house the “Regional Museum of Contemporary Art.” The mansion is charming, with some well-preserved rooms still retaining their original interiors: the dance salon, the study, the staircase and the entrance hall. The building is also impressive from the outside; its façade is decorated with various decorative elements, ceramic panels with symbolic designs. Now, in the Aguirre Palace, the Museum of Modern Art hosts exhibitions of contemporary artists; tourists can admire the paintings of Rodin, Dali, Tapies, Chillida and others.

Pedreño Palace- The magnificent building in the chic style of the memorable Renaissance was erected in the nineteenth century. The construction project was created by Mursky architect Carlos Mancha for industrialist and deputy Andres Pedrosa. The majestic mansion stands on Town Hall Square, being its worthy decoration. The building is decorated with interesting elements, in the form of sculptures and metal carved parts. After the completion of the palace, the Spanish King Alfonso the Twelfth even visited it; in honor of such a visit, the building was equipped with six thousand gas lanterns. Since 1991, the palace was given over to house the central bank Caja Murcia.

Royal Basilica de La Caridad(Real Basilica de Nuestra Señora de la Caridad) - This building grew up in place of a small church that was erected in 1744 at a charitable hospital that had existed since 1693. The founder of the hospital was Francisco Garcia Rolland. The name of the church is translated as “Mercy,” which is quite appropriate because of the charitable activities that the doctors and sisters of this hospital were engaged in. Later, the small church was replaced by a beautiful basilica in the neoclassical style, designed by the architect Thomas Taiarije. Tourists are attracted to this attraction of Cartagena by the valuable relic that is located inside - the sculpture “Virgen de la Piedad” - “The Blessed Virgin Mourning Christ”, it was brought here from Italian city Naples in 1723. Local residents are in awe of the Virgin Mary, because she is the heavenly patroness of Cartagena, which is why the basilica is dedicated to her. Several expressive sculptures by master Francisco Salcillo are also attractive. The interiors of the church are decorated with paintings by the artist Manuel Ussel de Guimbarda, who was of Cuban origin, but who devoted part of his life and creative impulses to Spanish Cartagena.

Town Hall(Ayuntamiento) - The most beautiful building in Cartagena is the city hall, built according to the architectural design of Tomas Rico Valarino. It was erected in place of the older town hall, built in the sixteenth century, when it had fallen into disrepair and spoiled the entire appearance and impression of the beauty of Cartagena. That's why construction of the new Town Hall mansion began in 1900, which took seven years. The result was an absolutely delightful structure, decorated with decorative elements, columns, balustrades and a coat of arms.

House of Llagostera(Casa Llagostera) - Beautiful architectural masterpiece, a true decoration of Catachena street Caye Mayor. The building was created by the outstanding architect Victor Beltri; he decorated his brainchild with stunning decorative elements: floral patterns, fantasy figures, coats of arms. The house was built for the richest merchant Esteban Llagostera, an important citizen of Cartagena in the nineteenth century.

House of Maestre(Casa Maestre) - A chic Cartagena attraction that always attracts tourists. The Casa Maestre mansion in Plaza San Francisco was built in the style of Catalan modernism by the architect Victor Beltre and the architect Marceliano Coquilat for the local doctor and politician José Maestre Perez in 1906. Those tourists who are already familiar with , talk about the extreme similarity of Cartagena's Casa Maestre with Barcelona's Casa Mila. The facade and hall located on the ground floor of the original building have been preserved today, while the Maestre’s house is a nationally protected cultural heritage site.

Casa Cervantes(Casa Cervantes) - Another wonderful mansion in modern style, built in 1900 according to the architectural design of Victor Beltre for the industrialist Serafin Contreras. An interesting fact that guides share with tourists is that the paso doble “Susupiros de España” was written here: previously there was a restaurant “España” on the ground floor of Casa Cervantes and the composer Antonio Alonso Alvarez was so impressed by its delicious “suspiros” treats that created this masterpiece.

Hotel "Gran Hotel"- A beautiful building, built in 1917, in San Sebastian Square, designed by architects Thomas Rico and Victor Beltre. The hotel turned out to be incredibly luxurious and magnificent with features of French and Viennese modernism. The building was erected from bright red brick and snow-white stone, decorated with carved grilles of balconies, and is crowned with a large dome and an elegant porch.

Casino of Cartagena- Another masterpiece of the architect Victor Beltre, built in the eighteenth century as a palace for the Spanish Marquis Javier Francisco Tilly, who served as Admiral General of the Armada. The general's daughter inherited the mansion, but a tragedy happened here in 1808 - her husband Francisco de Borja was killed, so she left the palace, which brought her unpleasant memories. At first, the casino rented the mansion, but then bought it outright, and then even rebuilt the building in the nineteenth century.

Archaeological Museum(Museo Arqueologico) - A stunning place where many amazing finds from antiquity are collected: human remains, ceramic and glass objects, sculptures, amphorae, statues, parts of patterned decor from building facades. The archaeological museum was opened on the site where in the fourth century there was a Roman cemetery-necropolis, part of it is still visible. Museum exhibitions reveal all periods of the development of Cartagena: from distant prehistoric times to the modern era. The museum is located on Calle Santiago Ramon y Cajal, house 45. Entrance is completely free.

National Museum of Underwater Archeology(Museo Nacional de Arqueologia) - Here are collected unique exhibits discovered at the bottom of the Mediterranean Sea: amphorae, vessels, household items, interior decorations, ancient coins. In addition, tourists will be able to see the wreck of an ancient Phoenician ship, which was raised from the seabed, and examine models of ships of antiquity. The museum has interactive and multimedia stands for clarity, which is incredibly educational for both adults and young visitors. Ticket price: adult – three euros; for children and for pensioners – free. Monday is a day off.

Maritime Museum(Naval Museum) - Walking along the absolutely charming Cartagena promenade, tourists notice the iron tail of a whale peeking out of the water, and just nearby are the “Maritime Museum” and the “Isaac Peral Submarine Museum”. The people of Cartagena are proud of their inventor, who designed the very first submarine in the world, and in 1888 she successfully completed her maiden voyage. Several rooms in the museum are dedicated to Isaac Peral, who created many other interesting inventions in addition to the submarine. IN Maritime Museum there is a model of this submarine, and its original is in the port of Cartagena on a concrete pedestal. The museum's exposition will tell you about the turbulent history of the development of navigation, from the period of antiquity to the present day, you will also learn about the history of the development of submarines, warships, and the appearance of naval artillery. Ticket price is three euros.

Kartagonova Stadium(Cartagonova Stadium) - Sports arena for football matches on the outskirts of Cartagena. The stadium was built in 1987, but in 2000 it was reconstructed, increasing the capacity to fifteen thousand one hundred five people. Home matches of the local team are held here. football club"Cartagena", playing in the Segunda - the second division of Spain.

Night club "Gothic"- One of the most popular places for entertainment and recreation for local youth and foreign tourists vacationing in the resort of Cartagena. This hub of active nightlife opened seven years ago, and since then has held the edge over the rest of Cartagena's entertainment spots. Guests are attracted by the comfort and positive atmosphere of the club, its magnificent dance floor, many modern sound and light effects, the presence laser show and video projections.

Salsa school “Crazy Salsa”- If you are staying in Cartagena for more than one week, you can sign up for training at the local Crazy Salsa dance school, where they will show you all the basics of performing the national Spanish dance - salsa. The great thing is that a person with any skills can come to a dance school: from a beginner to an experienced dancer. A lot of pleasant moments and unforgettable impressions are guaranteed!

Beaches of Cartagena

Tourists are happy to come to Cartagena on vacation, because there are not only significant historical attractions, but also wonderful beaches that belong to the magnificent Spanish Mediterranean coast of the Costa Calida. In addition, nearby are amazing beaches the islands of Islas del Rosario, the waters around which are famous for their wonderful coral reefs. The beaches of the coast of Cartagena and its surroundings stretch for forty kilometers. They are covered with the finest golden sand, and most of them have the Blue Flag award for environmental friendliness. For the information of tourists, it is worth explaining that the seabed in Cartagena is rocky, in places it drops sharply into the depths, but this is at a distance from the coastline, but the beaches are sandy, you can safely bring children here to relax, because near the shore and in the coves it is shallow and the bottom is covered with sand .

Beach "Little Sea" or "Mar Menor" - an area where some tourists swim all year round. This salty lagoon and the Mediterranean Sea were separated sand spit La Manga. It’s wonderful to swim here, sunbathe with children, there are no waves, the sand is excellent, the water is clean.

Cortina Bay Beach(Cala Cortina) – perfect place recreation, located behind the port in the eastern part of the bay, surrounded by beautiful rock formations. This beach has been awarded " Blue flag", there is good infrastructure, there are places for picnics, a children's area with a playground, a restaurant, showers, toilets, and a rental point for equipment for sea fishing and diving. There are interesting sights near the beach: the ruins of the defensive batteries San Leandro, San Isidoro, Santa Florentina, which guarded the entrance to Cartagena harbor in the eighteenth century.

El Pino Bay Beach(Cala del Pino) ​​- wonderful, with excellent crunchy sand underfoot, there are no high waves here, which is ideal for tourists with children.

Calblanca Beach(Playa de Calblanque) - several beaches changing into one another near the salty lagoon of the Mar Menor and nature reserve Cartagena. There's a great bottom here clean sand, clear water. It's great to relax here with small children. But sometimes the beach is very crowded and entry is closed to new vacationers. Traditionally, family tourists relax at the entrance, and nudists at a distance.

El Portos Beach(Playa El Portus) is the favorite beach of Cartagena residents, quite remote from the city center. The sandy beach, where there are rocks in places, is surrounded by beautiful nature in the center of a picturesque bay. For the convenience of vacationers, there is a parking lot, a cafe, and other attributes of a good holiday near the beach.

Las Mulas Bay Beach(Cala de las Mulas) – not bad sand beach, two hundred meters long. There, too, you can often meet residents of Cartagena who come for a seaside holiday away from noisy tourists.

Arturo Bay Beach(Cala Arturo) is a small beach, eighty meters long and ten meters wide. There are never many people here, so you can always relax and relax. Nearby is the Calblanque Natural Park - a beautiful area with amazing cliffs plunging into the abyss of the sea, interspersed with small but perfect sandy beaches.

Bocagrande Beach is the only city beach in Cartagena, it is always crowded. This is an incredibly positive and fun vacation spot on the seashore. The beach is very long, and still, during the season there are a lot of vacationers, so locals prefer to relax on other more remote beaches. Numerous hotels stretch along the beach; they have well-equipped sections of the coast, where you can have a pleasant vacation. Bocagrande Beach is a great place to relax with children, thanks to the gentle entrance to the water, long shallow waters, and warm and crystal clear water.

Fatares Beach- quite distant from the center of Cartagena, as it is located twelve kilometers near the Monte Roldan mountain. The beach is sandy, very clean, and offers wonderful views of the island of Las Palomas, a kilometer from the coastline. Getting to Fatares Beach is quite difficult; you need to go through the Sierra de la Muela Natural Park or arrive by boat.

Swimming season in Cartagena- The climate in the Spanish resort city of Cartagena is hot and very mild, without a clearly defined change of seasons. In winter, the air temperature does not drop below thirteen degrees Celsius even at night, and the sea does not cool below fourteen degrees. The swimming season in Cartagena starts from May, when the water warms up to nineteen degrees, to November, when the water still maintains the same temperature. From July to September, the water in the sea is warmed up to twenty-five to twenty-six degrees.

Holidays in Cartagena- There are many holidays in Spain, and Cartagena is no exception. Unforgettable and enchanting festive events are also held here, attracting foreign tourists: “Ash Wednesday”, the February carnival before Lent, the “La Mar de Musicas” music festival in July, the “Jazz Festival” in November, the “Cartagena Film Festival” in December. But the most spectacular are the “Carthaginians and Romans” and “Santa Semana” holidays.

Festival "Carthaginians and Romans"(Carthagineses y Romanos) is an unforgettable costume party, which is dedicated to the capture of the city of “Qart Hadasht”, as Carthage was previously called, by the Roman Empire. The holiday lasts in the second half of September for ten days, and starts on Friday after the fifteenth, ending on Sunday of the next week. The historical reconstruction of the battles of Rome and Carthage, which actually took place in the third century BC, attracts tourists vacationing on neighboring seashores. During this decade, Cartagena is transformed: the wasteland becomes the location of a military camp, with tents and tents from Roman times. Legionnaires and Carthaginians, participants in the Punic Wars, walk around the camp. There are many costumed warriors on the city streets, they happily take pictures with tourists.

Holiday "Santa Semana"- Mass processions of Holy Week regularly attract foreign tourists. This event is a very ancient Spanish tradition. In honor of this holiday in Cartagena, in San Sebastian Square, there is even a sculpture: “A woman with a cross leading girls by the hands.” The monument was erected in 1983 and is dedicated to all the people who participate in the traditional processions of Santa Semana.

Spain offers many tourist routes in different cities, one of which is Cartagena. But before you go there, you need to take a closer look at the features of this place.

Cartagena on the map of Spain

In the southeast of Spain there is a city with a huge history - Cartagena. Around it are located high mountains which provide a mild climate. And on the other side stretches the Costa Cálida coast, turning the city into a large port and an excellent holiday destination, attracting people from all over the world.

Climate and weather in Cartagena

Cartagena (Spain) has a warm climate. The temperature in the city remains positive all year round. In winter it is about +10-15 degrees, and in summer about +27 degrees. But in the hot months the thermometer rises above +30. The water temperature in June is +21 degrees, in July and August - +24-25 degrees, thanks to which there are many vacationers here. The greatest amount of precipitation occurs in the autumn months, the least in the summer.

Note! The beach season opens in April and closes only in October, so tourism in the city flourishes almost all year round.

Location of the city on the map

Map of city attractions

Cartagena, located in Spain, is rich in attractions, so one day is not enough for a tourist to see them.

Historical sights:

• Consistory Palace. It was destroyed, but by the 20th century it was completely restored. Today it is an administrative building with elegant facades, which harmoniously combines several different styles.
• Ruins of the Roman amphitheater. It was built before our era, but archaeologists managed to find it only in the 20th century. The buildings are well preserved, which allows travelers to get acquainted with the history and culture of the Romans who lived here.
• Punic bastion. This fortress, built to protect the city, attracts many history buffs. There is a museum center nearby where you can see what this building looked like before.
• Concepción Castle. It is located on a hill, so you can admire the bay and the entire city from it. It changed its purpose several times - it was rebuilt from a temple to a fortress, and then to a castle. Now it is a tourist place.
• House of Llagostera. It was built in the central part of Cartagena by order of an influential merchant who lived in the 19th century. This structure stands out thanks to the images of flowers and plants, mythical creatures, made in bright colors.

• Santa Maria de Gracia. The style in which it was built is Baroque, which makes it quite easy to notice this building among others. The sculptures located inside were created by the Spanish master Francisco Salcillo.
• Church of Mercy. It is distinguished by its large dome and the use of neoclassical style.
• Cartagena Cathedral. All that was left of it were ruins. It is considered the very first Christian temple in Spain.

• Grand Hotel. Built by the famous architect Victor Beltre. The dome is made in the form of a crown; decorative finishing is made in the style of French modernism. The interior of the building has been completely rebuilt, only the façade remains intact.
• Calle Mayor. A pedestrian street where many tourists walk. Here the tourist will see modern buildings, find many cafes, restaurants and shops and will be able to feel the atmosphere of the city.
• Square of Saint Francisco. Lots of houses in modern style, monuments, there are places where you can eat. The square looks especially beautiful and romantic in the evenings.

Beaches and resort in Cartagena

Located on Mediterranean coast the beaches attract tourists with their golden sand, which is recognized as environmentally friendly. Along the shore the depth is shallow, everything is strewn with sand, so it’s quite comfortable to relax here with a child. However, you need to be careful: further down the bottom is rocky.

Grand Hotel and its crown dome

Several beaches located in or near Cartagena:

• Calblanque. To get to this beach, you need to drive 15 km from the city. The purest water and natural beauty will definitely delight the traveler. The only negative is that the beach is often crowded, so sometimes it is closed before lunch due to large quantity of people.
• Cortina. For a comfortable stay there are not only showers, comfortable places, where you can have a picnic, but also various cafes and even playgrounds. The route from the city center to this place is 5 km, you can walk there, and along the way you have the opportunity to look at ancient buildings that previously played the role of protective structures. Extreme lovers can find here necessary equipment for diving.
• Fatares. This small beach offers beautiful views to Mount Roldan. It is not easy to get to it: either by boat or by walking through the entire park. That is why this place is one of the cleanest. A kilometer from the beach you can see the small rocky island of Palomas.
• Lagoon Mar Menor. The name translates as “small sea”. Although this place is not as close to the city as the previous ones, it is really worth a visit. There are no enterprises here that pollute the water or air - everything is absolutely clean. In summer, the water warms up to 30 degrees and above. There are many centers nearby where they provide treatment with the mud and water of the Mar Menor, which is considered healing.

On a note! For those who don’t just like to sunbathe, there is a lot of entertainment: yachting, diving, sailing and more.

Special discount cards are issued for tourists. Their advantage is that they allow you to visit the city's attractions and sometimes cultural events at a discount; It will also be cheaper to travel by public transport. This card is called a city pass, and you can get it at the airport, some hotels or travel agencies.

The area of ​​the lagoon is about 135 sq. m

It is possible to return a small part of the money spent. To do this, you just need to take VAT refund checks. This simple trick will help you save some money.

Important! When walking around the city, it is better to put money in your inner pockets and not take large sums. For safety reasons, it is not recommended to place them in bags or backpacks.

Based on the experience of tourists who have already visited Cartagena or another city in Spain, we can highlight several general tips:

• Don't forget that photography is not allowed in all places.
• You need to purchase a SIM card with a favorable and convenient tariff. As for the Internet, many places in the city - parks, cafes, hotels - have Wi-Fi.
• Choose a good place For lunch or dinner, the locals themselves will help. How? You just need to look where more locals sit - most likely, there is a place with high-quality and tasty food.
• You shouldn't take a lot of things. Some items can be purchased in Spain at lower prices.
• Many people recommend using Airbnb or Roomguru services to search for housing, which will help you find a more profitable and suitable option.
• Before traveling, you need to make a wish list: for example, try local dishes, buy tickets for a tour.
• There are not many signs in Spain, so finding a building by address can be difficult.
• Most locals do not speak English and do not understand Russian, so it is recommended to stock up on a Spanish phrasebook.
• During siesta (from about 2 to 4 pm) most of the establishments are closed. It is better to check the opening hours of banks, as they close early.

Bird's eye view of the city

Note! During registration for check-in at a hotel or inn, staff do not have the right to take and leave the tourist’s personal documents.

To plan your trip wisely and stay within your budget, it is important to think through all the details in advance. Now there are different services where you can buy tickets at a profit or get discounts on different types of services, which is important for tourists.

The picturesque city of Cartagena is mesmerizing: mountainous terrain, clean air, lush vegetation, the Mediterranean coast - the key to a beautiful holiday.

To get the most out of your holiday and travel, you need to head to the old town, where the streets and walls are teeming with history and beauty.

What to see in Cartagena: the main places of stay will be mentioned below.

Cartagena (Spain)

Location of the city of Cartagena

Cartagena (Spain) is a city in the north of the country, part of the autonomous community of Murcia. Cartagena on the map of Spain is not very large, but locally convenient. The bay is the most convenient in the Mediterranean.
The port of Cartagena represents the main source of income for residents. Apparently, the income from the port is quite good, since the places for residents and tourists to stay are clearly tidy and well-groomed and there are definitely resources for greater development, since construction and restoration do not stop.

How to get from Barcelona to Cartagena

The trip to Cartagena will not be long, inexpensive and quite comfortable. There are several ways to get from Barcelona Airport to Cartagena in Spain, using:

• bus;
• trains;
• cars;
• airplane.

The bus leaves from the airport station every ten minutes, which is quite convenient, unlike the train, but the latter also has its advantages. The bus will take about two hours, the cost of such a trip will be from 5 to 8 euros.

The train station is located close to the airport; it departs every half hour in the direction “Barcelona - Cartagena”. The train itself is high-speed, so you will get to your destination quite quickly, the cost will vary from 4 to 8 euros. There are two train lines at Cartagena Station itself.

Renting a car is a convenient and fast way to get to the hotel. You can get to Cartagena by car in an hour and a half, and there are free highways N332. However, this is not the cheapest pleasure; rental will range from 100 to 500 euros per car.

Unfortunately, there is no airport in Cartagena. Getting from the airport to Cartagena is not very convenient; the nearest airport is 30 km from a city called San Javier. The next terminal is Alicente, which is even more distant from the city.

With the help of your mobile devices, it’s not difficult to find out how to get to Cartagena.

Sights that will surprise everyone

What to see in Cartagena (Spain), founded in 221 BC? In these places you can really touch history. At a minimum, the “must have” program is to see the half-restored Colosseum, monuments and reincarnated old buildings.

Like any other city, Cartagena Spain begins with a beautiful train station, where tourists come from all over the world to get enough of the history and beauty of this city.

Not far from the station, you can see a pedestal with the first submarine. Why is she there? Everything is very simple: in Cartagena there is a shipyard for the production of submarines.

Walking along the paths of this town, you can see copper statues, small chapels, ancient towers, castles and many hotels. You may also encounter a mass tourist groups, you can join them and learn a little ancient history about Cartagena. On the streets you can often hear Russian and English spoken, so if you are lost, you can turn to someone and they will definitely help you.

There is one large monument in the form of a large man who sits with his head bent inward; tourists often take pictures with him. This monument is dedicated to the victims of the terrorist attacks.

Having walked the entire path of the central streets, you will inevitably end up on the sea coast, because all the paths lead to the sea. And how beautiful it is: the turquoise color captivates and does not let go. Immediately you will see the port where huge liners are standing and waiting for their passengers. Local yachts are nearby. Today, yachts have become not such a big luxury. Almost every person with above-average income can afford a small yacht. In general, the city itself lives with marine life; there are steles and monuments to sailors everywhere.

Ancient fortress

You can see the port by climbing to the other end of the city on a hill or climbing the ancient fortress around the port. At this fortress you can not only observe the beauty of the coastline, but also capture yourself against the backdrop of these beauties. The fortress was built in the 6th century AD. It is quite high (about 10 m), so people with a fear of heights don’t have to go up there, but the beauty is indescribable, it might be worth the risk. Previously, the fortress protected the city from the invaders of Cartagena.

The architecture as a whole is reminiscent of Italian cities, which is truly typical for buildings of that period of history. But if you take a closer look, you will get the feeling of a conglomerate - you will see buildings of old and new eras. There will be buildings that have been restored and built into completely new buildings.

Coliseum

You definitely need to go to the half-restored Colosseum, because the view from there is crazy. It was erected in the 1st century AD. e., was destroyed. Reconstruction work began 10 years ago. It doesn't matter what time of year you go there to enjoy the grandeur of the views. As you look around the steps of the Colosseum, you will hear the roar and splashes of the crowd who were sitting on these steps. Looking at the top of the Colosseum, you will immediately imagine the Roman Emperor at the head of the Colosseum. A powerful and majestic aura that will give you goosebumps. Entry to the Colosseum costs from 3 to 6 euros. The Museum of the Byzantine Wall is located very close.

Augusterium

You should visit the historical monument building Augusterium, which was founded in the 1st century AD. e. Priests gathered there to honor Emperor Augustus. The Augusterium was a powerful lever in the spread of Roman ideology.
Entrance to the museum is free.

Cultural program

After visiting the old city, you need to go to San Francisco Square. It pleases the eye with its well-groomed and modernist buildings.

In addition to the archaeological museum, it is worth checking out the Museum of Modernist Art of Cartagena. Entrance to the museum is free.

One of the prides of the city is the city hall building, it is located almost near the embankment.

The bay-shaped coast is huge, there are many ways to explore the sea, the port and the city. Ancient cannons are installed on the shore of the port. And here you should get to the Naval Museum, where collections of flags, military ammunition, as well as weapons, etc. are presented.

Photos of Cartagena sights - gorgeous collages and selfies, and most importantly, good memories of your vacation.

There are benches throughout the coastal area. It is immediately noticeable that the city honors and remembers its deep history and takes care of its residents.

The walking route of Cartagena will take about three hours, excluding the excursions themselves.

Great choice for shopping in Cartagena

On central streets There are a huge number of cafes, fountains and carousels. There are streets that are lined with ordinary paving stones, and there are central ones tourist streets, where asphalt is laid, polished with marble. While enjoying a simple walk along these streets, check out the shops in Cartagena (Spain). This will complement the range of pleasant aesthetic sensations. There are such famous brands as: “Guess”, “BOSS”, “Zara”, “Stradivarius”, “Yves Rosher”, etc. It is no secret for shopping lovers that sales in cool brand stores are quite a frequent occurrence, so clothes , most likely, it will be more profitable to buy locally than at home before your vacation.

Since this is a tourist city, not only chain stores and boutiques compete for the public of shoppers. The intermediate streets of Cartagena are home to local entrepreneurs with a variety of souvenirs and delights. But the majority are occupied by catering establishments.
The huge shopping centers of Cartagena offer a plunge into modern life after visiting large historical monuments. There are shopping centers in the city, such as:

• Mall Plaza El Castillo;
• Plaza Bocagrande Centro Comercial;
• Caribe Plaza Centro Comercial;
• Multicentro La Plazuela;
• Centro Comercial Portal de San Felipe.

IN shopping centers convenient to shop, eat and just relax. Your shopping experience in Cartagena will definitely be the best.

Tasty food

In local restaurants you can inexpensively taste delicious snacks from cheese, meat, seafood, and most importantly, taste delicious tapos and wine. This pleasure can cost you up to 10 euros.
Of course, Spain is famous for its abundance of seafood, and Cartagena will not let you down either. In literally every coastal establishment you can taste seafood treats. Prices in Cartagena are affordable, your vacation will be a pleasure.

You can find on the streets of this chic city, an absolutely uncharacteristic phenomenon for Europe, small stalls selling sweets, newspapers and small essentials.
Even if you are part of an excursion, you will definitely find something for a snack. For example, fresh exotic fruits or berries.

Cartagena city beach is a good place to relax

Yes, like any other seaside city, Cartagena has its own city beach. Here you can rent a sun lounger with an umbrella. There is a bar with snacks near the beach. Be sure to find a changing room not far from the beach.

The beach itself is not small, but cozy enough for a great family holiday. The bay was artificially made with large blocks of stones. The water is warm almost all the time. You can hide in the shade of large palm trees.

Nature

Cartagena is beautiful not only for its architecture, but also for its flora. You can find the most beautiful exotic flowers and many coniferous trees. On the branches of coniferous trees you can encounter danger, you can meet long and poisonous caterpillars. Both on the beach and in the city there are many palm trees. All plants and trees are properly cared for. A selfie area can be set up near red, white and pink flowering trees. Such a number of colorful trees is rarely seen anywhere.

The embankment glows and plays with lights all year round. Here you can meet New Year or celebrate a holiday at any time of the year.

Walking around Cartagena can be an unforgettable experience. They say that the Spaniards know how to rejoice, have fun and organize huge holidays like no other. During the week's rest, you can get to all kinds of performances, theatrical performances, just by walking along the streets.

There are definitely reasons to vacation in this city. A holiday in Cartagena can be budget-friendly and you will remember it for a long time.