Cartagena spain landmarks walking route. Spanish Cartagena is an ancient port city and the unspoken capital of the "hot coast" of Spain, the Costa Calida. Interesting neighborhoods of Cartagena
One of the most famous cities in Spain is Cartagena, a beautiful city on the coast mediterranean sea with magnificent beaches, so loved by tourists. But there are also significant historical sights and interesting museums.
What is worth seeing in Cartagena?
A bunch of historical monuments remained in Cartagena from the time since the time of the Roman Empire.
It is worth looking at the remains of the Punic fortress wall, built according to the traditional Hellenistic model - from two parallel walls. The underground rooms of the Skete of St. Jose are also preserved here.
You also need to see the Roman theater of Cartagena, built under Actavian Augustus. In terms of its architecture, the theater is a classical Roman building, but a variety of materials were used as building materials - marble, limestone, red travertine, sandstone. And the theater was decorated with white Greek marble. By the way, this theater was discovered not so long ago and by chance - during the construction of a craft center. And next to the restored theater, the Museum of the Roman Theater of Cartagena was built.
Also worth seeing are the Roman Forum and the Augusteum. In ancient Rome, the forum was the main square of the city, where trade was carried out and public meetings were held. Here, in the ancient square, the remains of a covered gallery and the ruins of several buildings have been preserved, among which are the Curia lined with marble, the Temple of the Capitoline Triad - Jupiter, Juno and Minerva, and the residence of the Augusteum. By the way, many items found here are now stored in the Archaeological Museum of Cartagena.
Another significant historical landmark is the Old Cathedral of Cartagena, the remains of which can be seen on the hillside of Concepción. According to legend, this cathedral was built by the apostle James, and if this is true, then this cathedral is the first Christian church in Spain. True, the authenticity of the legend has not yet been confirmed. The cathedral was destroyed several times and rebuilt again. Last time it was destroyed during the Civil War. Significant Christian relics used to be here - the image of the Virgin of Roselles, a sculptural group of the holy family “Four Saints” revered in Cartagena, the crucifixion of Christ Helping, the Zaaltar image - an English alabaster Gothic retablo. At the moment, all relics have been transferred to Archaeological Museum Cartagena.
On the hill of Concepción there is another attraction - the Roman amphitheater made of volcanic stone and sandstone, and the Arena. At the moment, excavations are underway here, and in the future it is planned to build a Regional Museum of Modern Art nearby.
But the most important attraction on the hill of Concepción is the Castle of Concepción, which is depicted on the coat of arms of the city. Unfortunately, the history of the construction of this castle is unknown. However, it is known that earlier on the site of the castle there was the Temple of Aesculapius - the god of the healer. On the territory of the castle, in the tower, which is called "Macho", the Center for the Study of the History of Cartagena is located.
You should also see the ancient Roman Baths, where the Frigidarium (“Cool Room”) with a pool of white marble slabs with pink veins, Caldaria (“hot water pool”), Hypocaust Tepidarium (room with a warm pool and heating system), Sauna and the Palestra (exercise room).
Worth seeing in Cartagena is the Fortress of Carlos III, which once encircled the five hills and the San Roque area. True, most of it is now destroyed, and only three sections remain - the Earthen Wall, the Sea Wall and the Wall at the Galley Castle.
You also need to visit the Blind Tower - this is the only whole monument left from old Cartagena. The Blind Tower was part of an ancient Roman necropolis.
And in the port of Cartagena, it is worth seeing the Christmas Fort - an ancient fortress set up for protection from the sea. At the moment, the Center for the Study of Defensive Architecture of Cartagena is located on the territory of the Christmas Fort.
Worth seeing in Cartagena is the Aguirre Palace, a beautiful Art Nouveau palace commissioned by the wealthy industrialist Camilo Aguirre. During the Civil War, the Aguirre family left the palace and now the Regional Museum of Modern Art is located here.
By the way, it is worth seeing some old houses built according to special projects in Cartagena - Llagoster House, Maestre House, Pedreno House, Dorda House, Cervantes House and others.
Of the museums of Cartagena, in addition to those already mentioned, it is worth visiting the Naval Museum, the Museum of the Roman Theater, the Municipal Archaeological Museum, and the National Museum of Underwater Archeology.
Cartagena is a beautiful city with many interesting and unique historical sights.
Thrill-seekers are waiting for the Palace of the Inquisition, where the Museum of Torture is located.
The palace was built in the Baroque style and is under the protection of UNESCO. This is one of the most beautiful ancient buildings cities.
Here was the headquarters of the Tribunal of the Holy Inquisition. Inside there was once a prison and torture chambers, from which no one has ever left.
The Inquisition in Cartagena operated until 1821, when it was finally abolished.
Creepy instruments of torture, scales for weighing sins, instructions for interrogators on how to identify a witch with tricky questions - all these items are genuine!
Tayrona National Park
The national park with tropical flora and fauna invites tourists to get acquainted with wild jungle. Nowhere else can you get closer to wildlife and countless species of life.
About 300 species of birds and 108 species of mammals, 31 species of reptiles, 15 species of amphibians, 202 species of sponges, 110 species of corals, 471 species of crustaceans, 96 species of annelids, 700 species of mollusks and 401 species of marine and river fish have been recorded here. More than 350 species of algae and 770 species of plants have been noted in the flora.
Tayrone Nature Reserve is one of three national parks Caribbean Colombia, where there is a coral relief.
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Rosario Archipelago
The Rosario archipelago is located 40 kilometers from the city of Cartagena. Its area is 120 thousand acres. It is the only underwater park in Colombia and consists of 38 eight islands of various shapes and sizes, many of which are private property. The islands are covered with mangroves, and white sandy beaches stretch on their shores.
Also along the coastline of many of the islands are coral reefs, they contain more than 120 species of algae, 52 species of corals, 215 species of fish, 31 species of birds and a huge number of crustaceans and molluscs.
The climate in these places is tropical, the average water temperature is 24-29 degrees.
The fortress is located on the hill of San Lazaro - a strategically important place on the outskirts of Cartagena. The fortress was built by the Spaniards during the colonial era. Its construction began in 1536. In 1657 the fortress was significantly expanded. The fortress is built of gray stone blocks. The walls, wide at the base and tapering at the top, give the entire fortress a menacing (even somewhat gloomy) look.
The main fortification is the castle, which has a complex labyrinth of tunnels. The castle is very well preserved. Since 1990 it has been used as a venue for social and cultural events.
UNESCO in 1984 ranked the fortress among the world cultural heritage of mankind.
Palace Museum of the Inquisition
The Palace of the Inquisition is a historical museum that tells visitors about this very Inquisition.
The museum building is considered a typical city building of the eighteenth century - two floors, wooden balconies, white walls. Only stands out main entrance to the museum. It is made of baroque stone. Apostate prisoners were kept in the dungeons of the palace of the Inquisition (naturally, according to the Inquisition itself).
What exhibits the museum exposition consists of, you can guess for yourself. These are instruments of torture, weapons, various documents, books related to that dark era. Some of the exhibits are located in the courtyard of the museum.
Santo Domingo Square
The area is one of the most attractive tourist spots in the city. Life on the square is seething day and night.
The main attraction of the square is the Church of Santo Domingo. Built in 1539, the church is the oldest temple in Cartagena. There is a beautiful local legend about her. It is said that the devil was so unhappy with the construction of this church that he personally appeared to distort it. appearance. As you can imagine, he didn't succeed.
Near the church there is a sculpture of a lying woman. It was created by the famous Colombian artist Fernando Botero. This is also one of the attractions of the square, near which tourists like to take pictures.
There are many summer cafes on the square, from where the music of local street musicians can be heard day and night.
Cathedral of San Pedro Claver
The construction of the San Pedro Claver Cathedral began in 1575, but in 1586 it was destroyed by pirates led by Francis Drake. The cathedral was restored in 1602. It is named after Saint San Pedro Claver, a Spanish priest who served in the cathedral and converted African slaves to Christianity. The remains of the saint are kept in the cathedral and attract many pilgrims from all over the world.
The wooden altar in the cathedral, although not so richly decorated with gilding and precious stones like other altars, but still considered one of the most beautiful in Colombia.
The special pride of the cathedral is its stained-glass windows.
Aquarium on San Martin Island
The oceanarium is located on the Rosario archipelago, in the Caribbean Sea. It contains 35 coral islands. The aquarium is famous for its magnificent show of dolphins, as well as nurse sharks. In addition to the aquarium itself, you can enjoy the beautiful Caribbean coast with white sand and a blue lagoon. Even on the territory of the archipelago, you can see the sunken Spanish ship, stuffed with innumerable riches.
Castle of San Felipe
The fortress of San Felipe was built in the XII century by the Spanish conquistodors to protect the captured city of Cartagena.
In Cartagena there was a huge amount of wealth belonging to the Spanish king Ferdinand, he was also the main port. In the XV century, the city suffered from numerous pirate attacks, so, in 1586, the pirate Drake, under the auspices of the English government, completely defeated and plundered the city. Therefore, it was decided to build the fortress of San Felipe, the construction of which took about 200 years and 245 million gold.
By the 17th century, San Felipe was the largest fortress in the Spanish colonies. It looked like a labyrinth, from which only the inhabitants of the fortress could get out. San Felipe towered on the slope and it was almost impossible to approach her.
In 1741, the fortress withstood a two-month siege by the English troops, who were never able to capture it.
Amazonia Experimental Center
The experimental center was created for the purpose of research and contemplation wildlife the Amazon region, as well as the preservation of this amazing ecosystem. The Center conducts educational programs for the formation of environmental education for children and adults.
Previously, on the site of the ecological center there was a territory where cattle were bred. Now there is a fish station, a forest and Botanical Garden. The center was established in 1986. Now he has his own laboratory in which they breed native species plants and fish.
The 25-hectare Botanical Garden of Medicinal Plants in the Amazon contains 500 species of plants used in medicine. Aroid, legumes, Compositae, euphorbia, nightshade and other plant species grow here.
The center is located in the department of Putumayo. The nearest department is Cartagena.
The most popular attractions in Cartagena with descriptions and photos for every taste. Choose the best places to visit the famous places of Cartagena on our website.
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The Spanish city of Cartagena is one of the oldest in the country. It was founded over two thousand years ago by the Carthaginians, who called it "New Carthage". Over time, it was transformed into the current name of the city. The city has experienced numerous captures and looting, foreign rule. In the Middle Ages, it became an important commercial and military port with powerful fortifications.
Cartagena is today the provincial legislative center of the province. In the past century, shipbuilding, the chemical industry developed in the city, and modern buildings were built. New squares, gardens and parks appeared. Today, over two hundred thousand people live here. A large number of historical monuments and interesting places attracts a huge number of tourists from all over the world to Cartagena.
Cartagena has always played an important role in the development of the Spanish navy. Therefore, an appropriate museum was organized in the former barracks of military sailors of the 19th century. It exhibits over three thousand exhibits related to the fleet, from the beginning of the 18th century to the modern period.
There are a lot of materials about military shipbuilding, the life of sailors, the organization of navigation and cartography. The museum has an extensive collection of flags, pennants, and various naval uniforms. Interesting expositions about the submarine fleet and naval weapons.
Location: Paseo Alfonso XII.
You can be convinced of the diversity of the architectural richness of Cartagena on the example of its main street, called Calle Mayor, which originates from the Town Hall Square. There are many unique buildings built over the past two centuries. Among them is the luxurious Aguirre Palace, built in the Art Nouveau style, which houses the regional museum of modern art. The Pedreco Palace was built in the neoclassical style. The mansions of Llagoster amaze with their architecture. Maestre and Dorda, Cartagena Casino and Grand Hotel.
This one of the main buildings of the city was inaugurated in 1907 to house the mayor's office. It is characterized by original architecture with a mixture of styles. It has three different white marble facades.
From above, the building is decorated with four different domes, a large balcony with a balustrade and small decorative balconies. The interior contains portraits of noble citizens, a wide staircase with stone railings and floral ornaments, pilasters and artistic casting lamps. Today, exhibitions and various events are held here.
Location: Plaza Ayuntamiento - 1.
The building is rightfully considered one of the architectural masterpieces. This is one of the few Art Nouveau buildings in the central part of the city. The house was built on a grand scale by the famous architect Victor Beltri. It was ordered by one of the most influential inhabitants of Cartagena at the beginning of the 19th century, a large merchant, Esteban Llagostera. Facade of this tall building decorated with numerous exquisite elements in the form of mythical figures and floral ornaments, coats of arms and other artistic details.
Location: Calle Mayor - 19.
The image of this castle, built in the XII century, adorns the coat of arms of the city. It is located at the highest point in the city. It is surrounded by a picturesque park. The castle is of great interest as an architectural and fortification object. In addition, this is a wonderful viewing platform, which offers wonderful views of the city and the bay. Peacocks roam freely on its territory. Offered here interesting excursions and entertainment.
Location: Calle de Escipion - 34.
This building with a dome-crown at the top is recognized as one of the most original in the Spanish Art Nouveau style. His project was developed famous architect Victor Beltri, who adorned Cartagena and some other cities in Spain with his works. In 1917, the construction of a respectable six-story hotel was completed. The exterior decoration of its facade was made of brick and stone. Decorative elements in the style of Viennese and French modernism were widely used. Over time, the purpose of the building changed, it was rebuilt. Only the luxurious facade remained unchanged.
Location: Calle Jara - 31.
This cathedral, according to legend, was the first Christian church in Spain. At the beginning of the 20th century, the once majestic building was collapsed. It was restored, rebuilt in neo-Romanesque style.
When the civil war broke out in the country in 1936, the cathedral was looted, used as a prison and thoroughly destroyed. Today it looks like a well-preserved ruins located near the Roman amphitheater. Its most valuable interior elements are kept in the Archaeological Museum of the city.
Location: Calle Segundilla - 7.
This museum is not difficult to find by the submarine-fountain installed nearby and the figure of a man in diving equipment at the entrance to the building. Its funds began to form from the end of the 19th century from objects that local divers found at the bottom of the Mediterranean Sea. This is how the world's only collection of elephant tusks with Phoenician inscriptions, ancient amphorae and lead ingots, anchors of ancient ships, and other artifacts appeared. Later, models of ancient ships, life-size copies of a galley and a merchant ship of the ancient Romans, and other exhibits were added to the exposition.
Location: Paseo Alfonso XII - 22.
In the summer of 2008, a museum dedicated to the Roman theater was opened in the city, which was discovered during excavations in 1988. This archaeological find is one of the iconic monuments of the Romanesque period. To preserve it, a special fund was created, which organized the development of the museum project.
As a result, a unique tourist site appeared in Cartagena, integrating the monument into the urban environment and pursuing educational goals. The museum space is organized in an original way, revealing the history of the theater and the period when it operated.
Location: Plaza Ayuntamiento - 9.
At the beginning of the last century, a major industrialist C. Aguirre ordered the construction of a luxurious mansion. The constructed building was a prime example modernity in architecture. Its luxurious facades are decorated with relief images and ceramics. The main facade is decorated with a ceramic panel depicting angels. There is a tower with a bay window under the dome.
The original interiors of the dance parlor, the Victorian office, the swing staircase and the main lobby, whose glass is decorated with ornaments, have been preserved. The mansion houses the Regional Museum of Modern Art.
This unusual monument installed near the embankment, where the main street cities. It is a submarine, which was built in 1888 according to the design of the designer from Cartagena, Isaac Peral. This ship was successfully tested, but it was not recognized as completely perfect. For several decades, it rusted until the original idea arose to use it as a monument. As a result, residents and guests of Cartagena got the opportunity to get acquainted with the work of a local inventor of the century before last and admire the unusual fountain on the city embankment.
At the end of the last century, the ruins of a huge Roman amphitheater were excavated in Cartagena. Neither locals, nor historians for a long time did not know about its existence. It is known that in this place there was a cathedral and a trading quarter of the Byzantines.
Scientists believe that the building was one of the largest theaters in the Roman Empire. It was built in the first century AD and had a capacity of six thousand spectators. In order to preserve the amphitheater local authorities created a special museum.
Location: Plaza Ayuntamiento.
Given the important strategic importance of the Cartagena Bay, a powerful fortification was built here in the middle of the 19th century. It became known as the Christmas Fort. It was built fifteen meters above the sea and protected the entrance to the bay from the southwest.
The new fort was built with the latest knowledge in fortification and ballistics. It was possible to penetrate it only from the shore through the fortified gates. Today it is a popular tourist attraction, which offers panoramas of the city, the bay and the port.
Location: Cartagena Bay.
This is the only well-preserved monument in Cartagena from the time of the ancient Roman New Carthage. Its name in Spanish sounds like "Torre ciega". It dates back to the first century BC, and was part of a large necropolis of the local nobility of that time. A large stone cube lined with stone blocks is placed on a flat quadrangular pedestal. Above the cube is a truncated cone, inside of which, it is believed, an urn with ashes was placed.
One of the attractions of Cartagena is the hill of Molinete, which means "Mill" in Spanish. For many years, the buildings on the hill were destroyed and were of no interest to residents and visitors of the city.
The city authorities have transformed the hill into a modern scenic archaeological park. Walking routes are laid here, places for children are equipped, who, together with adults, get acquainted with the ruins of two ancient mills and a temple. Olive trees, lavender and rosemary grow.
In the historic center of Cartagena there are many religious buildings distinguished by its architecture and richly decorated interiors. One of them is the Church of Santa Maria de Gracia. It was built in the Baroque style in the 18th century and is one of the notable temples of the city.
Known for the fact that when the ancient cathedral of Santa Maria la Vieja was destroyed in 1940 during the civil war, the church accepted his arrival. The altar of the temple, its interior was decorated with sculptural works of the outstanding Spanish sculptor Francisco Salcillo.
Location: Calle Aire Cartagena.
Among the most famous temples of Cartagena, the Church of Mercy or La Caridad stands out for its huge dome and austere neoclassical style. It is dedicated to the Merciful Mother of God, who is considered the patroness of the city.
In a place of honor in the church is an icon made by Neapolitan masters in the 18th century, depicting the image of the Virgin Mary. In the interior design of the church, the paintings of the Cuban artist Manuel Ussel de Gimbard, who connected his life with Cartagena, attract attention.
Location: Calle de la Caridad - 15.
The port city of Cartagena belongs to the autonomous community of Murcia. Cartagena stands on a plain, surrounded by mountain ranges. The historical part of the city is located between five hills.
The first evidence of human habitation in what is now Cartagena dates back to the 4th century BC. In 227 BC. e. on this place the Carthaginians founded a city called Quart Hadast. After 18 years, the Romans took power over the city under the command of Scipio. The city began to be called - Cartago Nova.
Under the Romans, the city developed rapidly - rich mineral deposits and a good location contributed to this. Emperor Octavian August engaged in the reconstruction of the city. The Forum and the Roman theater were built. Before the beginning of our era, Cartago Nova became the third most important city in Spain. It received the status of a citizen-run colony.
When the Roman Empire fell, the Byzantines came to Cartago Nova. Emperor Justinian I renamed the city Cartago Spartaria. In 621 it was captured by the Visigoths, and in 734 by the Arabs. During their reign, Cartagena, fairly devastated by wars, again experienced an upsurge. A fortress was built on Mount Concepción and a mosque.
King Alfonso X in 1245 he conquered Cartagena. After that, the decline began again, as in all of Christian Spain. At this time, several Christian monasteries settled here. Monastic orders influenced the cultural and religious life of Cartagena.
Stagnation (stagnation of production and trade) continued until the 18th century - until the city was made the center of the Mediterranean Maritime Department. Cartagena was fortified, the castle, preserved from Arab times, was restored, and naval hospital (Hospital Militar de Marina), new residential buildings and Arsenal. The population has grown to 15,000.
The 19th century for Cartagena was marked by the growth of the mining industry. In 1873 the Cantonal Revolution took place. The rebellious city was again destroyed, reconstruction was required. In the 20th century, a large number of modernist buildings were built, culture developed. After the civil war, energy, the chemical industry, and shipbuilding were developed.
Modern Cartagena has a rich cultural heritage. All civilizations and peoples that have ever been on its territory have left their mark in the form of historical monuments.
From the era of the Carthaginians survived ruins of the Punic bastion They date back to 227 BC. e. From the time of Roman rule remains Roman antique amphitheater (Teatro romano de Cartagena). Now it is also in ruins: stone columns, sculptural decor, part of the arena have been preserved.
Other Roman monuments include: Roman Colonnade, Decumanus and Augusteum, "House of Destiny" (Casa de la Fortuna). The remains of the Necropolis have been preserved - La Torre Ciega tower.
Byzantine bastion And Church of Santa Maria la Vieja (La Catedral de Santa Maria la Vieja) (XIII century) also came down to us in a ruined state.
The center of today's Cartagena is considered Plaza de España. It is a huge rotunda with an internal square and a fountain.
A pedestrian street has been created for walking around Cartagena - Calle Maior. It starts with Plaza San Sebastian. The architectural style of most of the houses belongs to the Art Nouveau style of the early 20th century. Among the buildings on Calle Maior stands out house of Cervantes- the work of an architect Victor Betri. Not far from it is a baroque Church of Santo Domingo(1695).
On the Plaza del Ayuntamento is a palace - Palacio Consistorial- beautiful building Thomas Rico Valarino in 1907
On a hill in the city Torres park There is Observation deck. The ruins of the Roman theater are clearly visible from it, sea port and the cathedral.
Located near Cartagena Mar Menor beach. It is a shallow lagoon separated by a narrow isthmus from the Mediterranean Sea. The water here warms up so intensely that you can swim in the lagoon almost all year round.
Cartagena invites guests to city holidays. The brightest of them is "Carthagineses and Romanos". The costumed action "Carthaginians and Romans" is a historical reconstruction. It is held annually in September. People in ancient costumes and military armor these days can be found on all the streets of the city.
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The stunning and richest in historical architectural sights, the city of Cartagena (Cartagena) in Spain is very popular among tourists, because it is also a great mediterranean resort, comfortably located on the beautiful Palos Peninsula and belonging to the region of Murcia. This is a very ancient port city, whose history began its countdown from antiquity, and since then it has brought to the whole world an invaluable cultural heritage left by numerous civilizations that have already disappeared, different peoples who once inhabited it and left to their descendants many amazing historical sights, grandiose monuments. And today it is also an extremely popular Spanish resort on the hot Mediterranean coast of 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 bay of the peninsula in 227 BC and owes its foundation to the famous Carthaginian commander Hasdrubal the Handsome. She stood on the site of the most ancient settlement of the Iberians - Mastia, because Hasdrubal arranged his 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, the 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: the Forum, the court and the theater. Soon Cartago Nova was considered the third most important Spanish city-colony. After the fall of the power of Rome, the city was ruled by the Byzantines, Emperor Justinian the First ordered to rename it Cartago Spartaria. At the beginning of the seventh century, the city was captured by the Visigoths. Then, in 734, the Arabs recaptured the city, calling the city Qartayannat-al-Halfa (Qartayannat-al-Halfa), rebuilding it after the 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 conquered by Christian warriors, 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 various orders, which had a significant impact on the cultural and religious component of urban life. But, this was a period of decline for Cartagena, lasting until the eighteenth century, until the center of the Maritime Department of the Mediterranean was formed here. Then the city began to strengthen, reconstruct, build new buildings. In the nineteenth century, the mining industry of Cartagena was on the rise, 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 began, though now with buildings in a fashionable modern style. Today, the oldest city of Cartagena in Spain is a calendar of history, embodied in amazing architecture, through which it is easy to trace the reminders of all the peoples who once occupied this territory, one has only to walk along the city streets, carefully examining the objects of antiquity and sights. There are four periods for the numerous historical monuments of Cartagena: Roman, Baroque, Modernist, Modern.
Sights of Cartagena
Roman amphitheater(Teatro romano de Cartagena) - This is one of the most powerful and grandiose buildings of antiquity, dating from the first century BC. Once it was the largest theater of the Roman Empire in modern Spanish lands. The amphitheater was erected under the rulers of the Flavian family, its stands were able to accommodate up to six thousand spectators. long time the people of Cartagena did not know about the existence of this masterpiece of Roman architecture, because other ancient monuments were located on top of it - the shopping district of the Byzantine era and the Cathedral. At the end of the last century, excavations were underway here and these majestic and colossal ruins were discovered: columns, elegant sculptural details of decor, and partly an arena. The city authorities decided to do everything possible to preserve the ruins of the ancient Roman amphitheater for posterity, in addition, there are no less interesting historical objects nearby - the ruined ancient bullfighting arena and the Museum of the Roman Theater of Cartagena. Soon it is planned to open the “Museum of Modern Art” at the site of archaeological excavations for visitors so that they can get acquainted with the amazing sights of Cartagena: thoroughly examine 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 the ancient amphitheater of Cartagena 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 the summer from Tuesday to Saturday from ten in the morning to eight in the evening, on Sunday from ten in the morning to two in the afternoon. The entrance is free.
Roman forum(Foro romano) - the main city market Square and a place where people gathered to discuss important issues and events. Roman architectural complex built in the first century AD. It is a square, along its perimeter there are buildings and covered galleries. Previously, important religious, administrative, 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 completeness of information, it is 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 performed the cult of worship of the emperor Octavian Augustus. Unfortunately, now the building is ruins: the foundation, partly fragments of powerful walls and columns. But, even from these parts of the grandiose ancient structure, scientists managed to recreate the appearance of the main hall, which was covered with marble slabs, in the center there was a statue of the reigning emperor. And yet, archaeologists have found many interesting religious objects, fragments of interior decor, statues, including the 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 along Caballero Street, 2. It works from Tuesday to Sunday from ten in the morning until half past two in the afternoon, Monday is a day off. The price of an adult ticket is two and a half euros, a reduced ticket is two euros, for children under three years old - admission is free.
Punic wall of Cartagena(Muralla punica de Cartagena) - The very first wall to defend the settlement of Cartagena, which was erected by the Carthaginians in 227 BC. This is a unique landmark of the city, because this is the little that tells about the presence of the Carthaginians in the Spanish territories, 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 really was able to withstand the attack of the Romans in 209, at the beginning of the Punic War, but not for long. The construction was powerful: two parallel walls 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 the five ridges connected in one defensive chain, and making Cartagena an impregnable fortress. Now the Museum Center for the Study of the Punic Wall has been opened here, where you can see its initial appearance, visit the ancient underground rooms of the Christian monastery of St. Jose.
House of Destiny(Casa de la Fortuna) - A very interesting, albeit quite 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 fragmentarily, but quite allowing to understand the highest artistic level of its performer. In the Casa de la Fortuna, you can see beautiful wall paintings that decorate interior interiors, relief decor on the facade, made with great grace and skill of the ancient master. You will be able to visit all the rooms that are traditional for any Roman antique house: atrium, bedroom, hall for celebrations, office. And this house got its name thanks to the sign above its entrance, on which it was inscribed: "Fortuna propitia", that is, "I wish you good luck."
Roman Baths of Cartagena- On the Molinete hill along Calle Honda there is an archaeological excavation area, where scientists clear 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 on the Plaza de los Tres Reyes, they were found in 1968, and soon the heating room of the thermal bath and the pool were discovered. By 1982, having excavated on Onda Street, archaeologists found a “frigidarium” - “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 reservoir. Of course, much more has been done. interesting finds: various statues, household items and decor - they were all of the Roman era and covered the first - seventh century AD. Scientists managed to find out that the Roman baths operated until the fourth century, in the fifth century they were reconstructed, and in the sixth they were completely closed.
blind tower(La Torre Ciega) - This is a Roman necropolis of the first century AD and unique monument burial culture of Rome on the territory of Spanish Cartagena. This monument is a microscopic part of the 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 made of limestone blocks topped with a prism built in the typical Roman manner of laying bricks - reticulum. The prism is crowned with a cornice, on which is installed a cylinder for a burial urn with ashes. Today, the monument is in fairly good condition, but only thanks to the restoration carried out in the last century by the master Pedro San Martin, who was able to restore the almost destroyed masterpiece of antiquity. Its poor preservation was not affected by time, but only by the human thirst for profit: until the eighteenth century, the necropolis was safe and sound, but rumors began to circulate among Cartagena that treasures were sealed inside the burials, so the locals began to punch holes in the masonry to find treasures. By the middle of the twentieth century, the building was in a deplorable state, excavations were going on simultaneously with the restoration, but instead of treasures, they found the remains of ancient Romans in urns made of glass and ceramics, huge vases, ancient coins, tombstones, you will see all this in the Archaeological Museum of Cartagena.
Bullring in Cartagena- The building of the arena for holding traditional bullfights was built in the middle of the nineteenth century in just one month, and not professional builders, but prisoners of the local prison were engaged in the construction of the building. The building of the arena turned out to be grandiose and included three tiers, it had eight thousand spectator seats distributed over sectors: shady, sunny and mixed, as required by the Spanish canons for the construction of bullfighting arenas. The Cartagena arena entered 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, appearing above part of the Roman amphitheater. Now tourists can see elements and parts of its ancient ancient walls, they can look into the rooms located right below the stands. The arena will soon become part of a single "Museum of Contemporary Art of the Murcian Region".
Cathedral of Santa Maria la Vieja(La Catedral de Santa Maria la Vieja) - The ruins of an old Christian building can be found in the historic center of Cartagena on the hill of Concepción. There is a legend about its construction that the apostle James himself founded the cathedral to become the first church in Spain, but detailed and accurate information about that period has not been preserved, except for superficial knowledge that before the onset of the stage of Muslim rule in Spanish lands, here in Cartagena there was a diocese, but not even traces of it remained. When, in the middle of the thirteenth century, the reconquest of Murcia from the Muslims began, King Alfonso Tenth of Castile asked Pope Innocent IV to allow the restoration of the diocese of Cartagena, to which consent was given and a bishop, the Franciscan monk Pedro Gallego, the royal confessor, was sent. The next bishop, Garcia Martinez, moved the diocese to the larger city of Murcia, and the main Cartagena church ceased to be a cathedral, becoming an ordinary parish, as a result, the title " old cathedral". But the Cartagenaans did not stop asking the church authorities to transfer the diocese back, and for this they even erected a new building in the eighteenth century - the Church of Santa Maria de Gracia, suitable in size for organizing a cathedral there. But, the building did not stand for long, because it was erected on the old foundation, which collapsed, of course, restoration was carried out and the new church in a beautiful Romanesque style again began to please 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 fired upon by the nationalists, then a prison was temporarily located here. Then the church remained abandoned, having stood for decades in anticipation of a generous patron who would allocate money for its restoration. Unique relics were kept in the cathedral: a beautiful image of the Virgin Mary of Rosel, 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.
Castle of Concepción(Castillo de la Concepcion) - The once formidable building is located in the heart of Cartagena on a 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 healer god Aesculapius to protect the city and its inhabitants from regular raids by sea pirates. When the Christians conquered the city from the Muslims, they erected a fortress here, and the Arab buildings that resisted destruction: the walls and the lighthouse, were included in the part of the new building. The castle-fortress stood at the highest point of Cartagena, according to the plan, this is a square building with towers in the corners and a pair of towers framing the entrance to the territory, they were called the “City Gates”. The lower city near the port was defended by walls erected in the distant sixth century, however, now these are only ruins and small fragments. The port of Cartagena was of the utmost importance in the thirteenth century, being the only maritime 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, he managed to lose almost all of his ships, then the king dismissed him. 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 had completely lost its defensive functionality, after the construction of coastal batteries that could more effectively protect the port in the event of an attack. In the last century, they planned to demolish it, but later changed their minds and allocated money for a partial restoration. For the comfort of tourists, a forty-five-meter elevator was provided, although for walkers we recommend going to the castle through beautiful park, where the same battery stands to protect the port and there is a monument to the commander Hasdrubal, who founded Cartagena. Inside the castle of Concepción, the main attraction of Cartagena, depicted on the city coat of arms, there is a "Center for the Study of the History of Cartagena", it occupies the Macho Tower. Tourists can take the panoramic elevator to Concepción Castle on Gisbert Street, the rise 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 are happy to feed them. The park has an observation deck with the best view to Cartagena and its main attractions: the Roman ruins, the port, here you can take great photos. You can visit Concepción Castle: in the summer from early July to mid-September - from ten in the morning to eight in the evening; in the period from mid-March to the end of June - and from mid-September to November 4 - from ten in the morning to seven in the evening; from November 5 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 of charge.
In addition to the castle of Concepción, there are four more castles in Cartagena that are inextricably linked with significant historical events Spain: the Moorish castle (Castillo de Los Moros), the castle of Galeras (Castillo de Galeras), the castle of Atalaya (Castillo de Atalaya), the castle of San Julian (Castillo de San Julian), - they all stand in military positions, and two of them - Galeras and Atalaya - were erected specifically for the defense of the naval base of Cartagena. The other three castles were built before the War of the Spanish Succession by decree 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 became the place from where the soldiers of the Duke of Berwick in 1706 expelled the soldiers who fought on the side of Charles of Austria, and then captured all of Cartagena. The defensive castle of Los Moros was built between 1773 and 1778 in an eclectic neoclassical style. The purpose of its construction was the defense of the hospital bastion, the gate of St. José, framing the entrance to Cartagena. Since 1929, the Castle of the Moors has ceased to be used as a defensive fort, it was abandoned, the homeless gradually began to settle here, and the locals to throw out garbage, so be careful if you decide to explore it yourself.
Galeras Castle(Castillo de Galeras) - It played a crucial role during the years of the Spanish Cantonal Revolution, becoming the place to raise the flag as a signal to attack Republican opponents. There was a historical incident: the revolutionaries had no other flag at hand except the Turkish one, they raised it over the castle, and an urgent telegram went to Madrid that the fortress had been captured by the Ottomans, but when the thought of possible political consequences reached the fighters , they smeared the Turkish flag with blood, and again raised it completely red.
Atalaya Castle(Castillo de Atalaya) - Often this fortress is called the "Castle of Death", this has been the custom since the Spanish Cantonal Revolution. Bloody battles were fought for him, as for a significant strategic point. It was here that the surrender of the city of Cartagena was a foregone conclusion. The castle maintained its formidable title and in civil war, becoming the base of the Republicans, who tortured and interrogated supporters of General Franco there.
San Julián Castle(Castillo de San Julian) - This fort is an important tourist attraction in Spanish Cartagena. At first, there was only one tower here, which was built by the British in 1706, having captured the city during the War of the Spanish Succession. The castle-fortress was already built 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 to build such 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 tourist attractions in Cartagena.
Palace of Aguirre(Palacio de Aguirre) - A chic mansion was erected in 1901 by order of Camilo Aguirre, a wealthy industrialist on Mercedes Square, on the former lands of the monastery. The palace was designed by Victor Beltri. During the Civil War, the palace was given for the placement of the "Regional Museum of Modern Art". The mansion is charming, some of the well-preserved rooms retain their original interiors: the dance parlor, the study, the stairs and the lobby. The building is also impressive from the outside, its facade is decorated with various decorative elements, ceramic panels with symbolic drawings. Now in the Aguirre Palace in the "Museum of Modern Art" exhibitions of contemporary artists are held, tourists can admire the paintings of Rodin, Dali, Tapies, Chillida and others.
Palace of Pedreño- The magnificent building in the chic style of the memorable Renaissance was erected in the nineteenth century. The construction project was created by the Mursk architect Carlos Mancha for the industrialist and deputy Andres Pedros. The majestic mansion stands on the Town Hall Square, being its worthy decoration. The building is decorated with interesting elements, in the form of sculptures, metal carvings. After the construction of the palace was completed, it was even visited by the Spanish king Alfonso the Twelfth, in honor of such a visit, the building was equipped with six thousand gas lanterns. Since 1991, the palace was given for the placement of the central bank "Caja Murcia".
Royal Basilica de la Caridad(Real Basilica de Nuestra Señora de la Caridad) - This building has grown in place of a small church, which was erected in 1744 at a charitable hospital that has existed since 1693. The founder of the hospital was Francisco Garcia Rolland. The name of the church is translated - "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 neoclassical basilica designed by the architect Thomas Taiarie. This attraction of Cartagena attracts tourists with a valuable relic that is inside - the sculpture "Virgen de la Piedad" - "The Blessed Virgin, mourning Christ", she was brought here from the Italian city of Naples in 1723. The locals are in awe of the Mother of God, because she is the heavenly patroness of Cartagena, which is why the basilica is dedicated to her. Several expressive sculptures by master Francisco Salsillo are also attractive. The interiors of the church are decorated with paintings by the artist Manuel Ussel de Guimbard, a Cuban by birth, 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 Thomas Rico Valarino. It was erected in place of the older town hall, built in the sixteenth century, when it fell into disrepair and spoiled the whole look and impression of the beauty of Cartagena. That is why in 1900 the construction of the new City Hall mansion began, which took seven years. The result is an absolutely delightful building, decorated with decorative elements, columns, balustrades and a coat of arms.
House of Llagoster(Casa Llagostera) - A beautiful architectural masterpiece, a true decoration of the Catenay Caye Mayor street. The building was created by the outstanding architect Victor Beltri, who decorated his brainchild with stunning decorative elements: floral patterns, fantasy figures, coats of arms. The house was built for the richest merchant Esteban Llagoster, an important citizen of Cartagena in the nineteenth century.
House Maestre(Casa Maestre) - A chic Cartagena attraction that invariably attracts tourists. The Casa Maestre mansion in Plaza San Francisco was built in the Catalan Modernist style by the architect Victor Beltri and the architect Marceliano Coquilat for the local physician and politician José Maestre Pérez in 1906. Those tourists who are already familiar with talk about the extreme similarity of Cartagena's Casa Maestre with Barcelona's Casa Mila. Today, the facade and the hall located on the ground floor have been preserved from the original building, while the Maestre's house is a cultural heritage site protected by the country.
Casa Cervantes(Casa Cervantes) - Another wonderful Art Nouveau mansion, built in 1900 according to the architectural design of Victor Beltri for the industrialist Serafin Contreras. An interesting fact, which the guides share with tourists, is that the paso doble "Susupiros de España" was written here: the restaurant "Spain" used to work on the ground floor of Casa Cervantes and the composer Antonio Alonso Alvarez was so impressed with his delicious treats "suspiros" that he created this masterpiece.
Gran Hotel- The most beautiful building, built in 1917, on San Sebastian Square, designed by architects Thomas Rico and Victor Beltri. The hotel turned out to be incredibly luxurious and magnificent with features of French and Viennese modernism. The building was built of bright red brick and snow-white stone, decorated with carved balconies, it is crowned with a large dome and an elegant porch.
Casino Cartagena- Another masterpiece by the architect Victor Beltri, built in the eighteenth century as a palace for the Spanish Marquis Javier Francisco Tilly, who served as Admiral General of the Armada. The mansion was inherited by the daughter of the general, but here in 1808 a tragedy happened - her wife 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 out completely, and then even rebuilt the building in the nineteenth century.
Archaeological Museum(Museo Arqueologico) - An amazing place where many amazing finds from antiquity are collected: human remains, ceramic and glass objects, sculptures, amphoras, statues, parts of patterned decor from the facades of buildings. The archaeological museum was opened on the site where in the fourth century there was a Roman cemetery-necropolis, part of which is visible now. Museum expositions reveal all periods of development of Cartagena: from distant prehistoric times to the modern era. The museum is located on Calle Santiago Ramon y Cajal, house 45. Admission is completely free.
National Museum of Underwater Archeology(Museo Nacional de Arqueologia) - The most unique exhibits found at the bottom of the Mediterranean Sea are collected here: amphoras, 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 view models of ancient ships. For clarity, the museum has interactive and multimedia stands, which is incredibly informative for both adults and young visitors. Ticket price: adult - three euros; for children and for pensioners - free of charge. Monday is a day off.
Maritime Museum(Naval Museum) - Walking along the absolutely charming Cartagena waterfront, tourists notice the iron tail of a whale peeking out of the water, and just next to it are the "Marine 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, in 1888 she successfully completed her first voyage. Several halls are dedicated to Isaac Peral, who, in addition to the submarine, created many other interesting inventions in the museum. IN maritime museum there is a model of this submarine, and its original is located in the port of Cartagena on a concrete pedestal. The exposition of the museum will tell you about the turbulent history of the development of navigation, from ancient times to the present day, you will also learn about the history of the development of submarines, warships, and the appearance of naval artillery. The 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 and five people. It hosts home matches of the team of the local 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 concentration of active nightlife was opened seven years ago, and since then has held an advantage over other holiday destinations in Cartagena. Guests are attracted by the coziness and positive atmosphere of the club, its magnificent dance floor, many modern sound and light effects, the presence of a laser show and video projections.
Salsa school "Crazy Salsa"- If you stay in Cartagena for more than one week, you can sign up for training at the local dance school "Crazy Salsa", where you will be shown all the basics of performing the national Spanish dance - salsa. It is very good 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!
The beaches of Cartagena
Tourists are happy to come to rest in Cartagena, because there are not only significant historical sights, but also wonderful beaches related to the magnificent Spanish Mediterranean coast Costa Calida. In addition, nearby are amazing beaches the island of Islas del Rosario, the waters around which are famous for their wonderful coral reefs. The beaches of the coast of Cartagena and its environs stretch for forty kilometers. They are covered with the finest golden sand, and most of them have an award for environmental friendliness - the Blue Flag. For the information of tourists, it is worth explaining that the seabed in Cartagena is rocky, in some places it abruptly breaks off 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 coast and in the coves the bottom is shallow and covered with sand .
Little Sea Beach or "Mar Menor" - an area where some tourists bathe all year round. This salty lagoon and the Mediterranean Sea were separated by the sandy spit of La Manga. It is wonderful to swim here, sunbathe with children, there are no waves, the sand is excellent, the water is clean.
Cortina bay beach(Cala Cortina) - a great place to relax, located behind the port in the eastern part of the bay, surrounded by beautiful rock formations. This beach has been awarded the Blue Flag, it has good infrastructure, there are places for picnics, a children's area with a playground, a restaurant, showers, toilets, a rental point for sea fishing and diving equipment. There are interesting sights near the beach: the ruins of the defensive batteries San Leandro, San Isidoro, Santa Florentina, which guarded the entrance to the Cartagena harbor in the eighteenth century.
El Pino bay beach(Cala del Pino) - wonderful, with excellent sand crunching underfoot, it does not happen here high waves which is ideal for travelers with children.
Calblanca beach(Playa de Calblanque) - several beaches passing one into another near the salty lagoon of the Mar Menor and nature reserve Cartagena. There is a great bottom with clean sand, clear water. This is a great place to stay with small children. But sometimes the beach is very crowded and the entrance there is closed for new vacationers. Traditionally, family tourists rest at the entrance, and nudists at a distance.
El Portus beach(Playa El Portus) is the favorite beach of Cartagena, quite remote from the city center. The sandy beach, where stones meet in places, is surrounded by beautiful nature in the center of a picturesque bay. For the convenience of vacationers near the beach there is parking for cars, cafes, and other attributes of a good holiday.
Las Mulas bay beach(Cala de las Mulas) - a good sandy beach, two hundred meters long. There, too, you can often meet the inhabitants of Cartagena, who come to relax on the sea away from noisy tourists.
Arturo bay beach(Cala Arturo) - a small beach, eighty meters long and ten meters wide. There are not many people here, so it is always calm and comfortable to rest. Nearby is the natural park "Calblanque" - a beautiful corner with amazing cliffs that break into the abyss of the sea, interspersed with small but perfect sandy beaches.
Bocagrande beach- the only urban beach of Cartagena, it is always crowded. This is an incredibly positive and fun place to relax on the seashore. The beach is very long, and anyway, during the season there are extremely many vacationers, so the locals prefer to relax on other more remote beaches. Numerous hotels stretch along the beach, they are well equipped with coastal areas, where you can have a good time on vacation. It is wonderful to relax with children on Bocagrande beach, this is facilitated by a gentle entry into the water, long shallow water, warm and crystal clear water.
Fatares beach- quite remote from the center of Cartagena, as it is located twelve kilometers from Monte Roldan mountain. The beach is sandy, very clean, and offers wonderful views of the island of Las Palomas, which is a kilometer from the coastline. It is quite difficult to get to Fatares beach, you need to go through the Sierra de la Muela Natural Park or take a boat.
Swimming season in Cartagena- Climate in Spanish resort town Cartagena is hot and very mild, with no distinct change of seasons. In winter, the air temperature even at night does not fall below thirteen degrees Celsius, 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 holds the same temperature. From July to September, the water in the sea is warmed up to twenty-five to twenty-six degrees.
Holidays Cartagena- There are many holidays in Spain, and Cartagena is no exception. Here, too, unforgettable and enchanting solemn events are held that attract 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 holidays "Carthaginians and Romans" and "Santa Semana".
Festival "Carthaginians and Romans"(Carthagineses y Romanos) - an unforgettable costume festival that is dedicated to the capture of the city of "Qart Hadasht", as Carthage was previously called, by the Roman Empire. The holiday goes on in the second half of September for ten days, and starts from Friday after the fifteenth, ending on Sunday of the next week. The historical reconstruction of the battles between Rome and Carthage, which actually took place in the third century BC, attracts tourists vacationing on the neighboring sea. In this decade, Cartagena is transformed: the wasteland becomes the location of the camp of warriors, with tents and tents of Roman times. Legionnaires and Carthaginians walk around the camp - participants in the Punic Wars. There are many masqueraded warriors on the city streets, they are happy to 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, there is even a sculpture in San Sebastian Square: “A woman with a cross leading the hands of girls.” The monument was erected in 1983, it is dedicated to all the people who participate in the traditional processions to Santa Semana.
