What to see in Cartagena in Murcia

View of Cartagena

answer the question what to see in Cartagena in Murcia it is an arduous task. Because it is one of the cities with the greatest monumental heritage in Spain. Not surprisingly, it was founded by Hasdrubal the Fair in 227 before Christ with the name of qart hadasht and, previously, there were Iberian and Tartessian settlements.

Since those ancient times, it has been an important town due to its strategic location on the edge of the Mediterranean coast. Already with the name of Carthago nova, was an outstanding Roman city and, later, Byzantine. But in the XNUMXth century it was destroyed by the Vandals. However, its value as a port multiplied from the XNUMXth century and continues to this day. The fruit of this long history is the monumental heritage of the Murcian town that ranges from Carthaginian remains to modernist buildings, passing through the baroque and neoclassical. All this without forgetting its military constructions. Therefore, we have a lot of pending work to tell you about what to see in Cartagena in Murcia.

The archaeological itinerary

Roman theater of Cartagena

The Roman theater of Cartagena

We begin our tour through the numerous and spectacular archaeological remains of the city. Its epicenter and great symbol is the Roman Theatre, built in the first century before Christ, it had a capacity for seven thousand people. Over time, it came to be built on it. In fact, one of the most important constructions that left it underground was the old Cathedral of Santa Maria la Vieja, whose ruins are visible today next to the theater itself. Also created in this Museum of the Roman Theater of Cartagena, located in a building of Rafael Moneo and opened in 2008.

But the vestiges of the old Carthago Nova do not end there. You should also visit the Roman Forum neighborhood and museum, a set of buildings whose remains are found under the current Plaza de los Tres Reyes. Also visible are the remains of the Documentary or the main communication route of the city, part of some hot springs and other constructions. These vestiges are completed by those found under the Plaza de San Francisco. Among them stand out the augusteum or college of priests, the temple dedicated to the Capitoline Triad (Jupiter, Minerva and Juno) and the curia or former government headquarters.

Also, the old anfiteatro is in the process of recovery and House of Fortune, located under the Plaza de Risueño, is a domus Roman from the XNUMXst century BC. You can also visit the remains of the Punic and Byzantine walls. Finally, already in the outskirts, you have the Roman villa of Paturro, Blind tower, which is a Latin sepulchral monument and the Roman quarries.

But, if you want to learn more about the splendid past of the city, we advise you to visit the Municipal Archaeological Museum Enrique Escudero de Castro, built on a late Roman necropolis, and the National Museum of Underwater Archeology. In the latter you will even see the remains of two Phoenician ships found on the Murcian coast, specifically in Mazarrón.

Castillo de la Concepción and other fortresses to see in Cartagena in Murcia

The castle of the conception

Castillo de la Concepción, one of the symbols to see in Cartagena in Murcia

What to see in Cartagena in Murcia is not only its archaeological heritage. They also highlight their defensive strengths. The most prominent of them is the castle of the conception, located on the hill of the same name. It was built on the remains of an Arab citadel in the XNUMXth century and is one of the symbols of the city.

But it is not the only castle that you can see in Cartagena or its surroundings. the of the Watchtower it was built in the XNUMXth century and is located in Canteras. the of San Jose dates from the nineteenth and Galleys It is located in San Antonio Abad. Finally, the castle of the Moors receives this name from the hill where it is located and from Saint Julian was built during the War of succession Spanish.

More modern, but no less important, are the coastal defenses that safeguarded the port of Cartagena. Among them, the christmas fort and batteries of little castles, Roldán y the parajola. All of these played a very active role during the Civil War.

Baroque and neoclassical Cartagena

Navy Hospital

Old Navy Hospital

We continue our tour of what to see in Cartagena in Murcia visiting its numerous monuments from the XNUMXth and XNUMXth centuries. the old Navy Hospital, today Campus del Mar, is an imposing construction due to the engineers Sebastian Feringan y Matthew Vodopich. They also belong to the same period (mid or late XNUMXth century) the Wall of Carlos III, Arsenal Gate, Midshipmen School and the building of Captaincy. However, some of these are still active and cannot be visited.

Different is the case of the churches of the city, which we advise you to see. The Basilica of Charity, built in the XNUMXth century, is a beautiful neoclassical construction in which its spectacular dome stands out. In addition, inside you have the image of the Virgin of Charity, patron saint of Cartagena, a beautiful rococo altarpiece and various carvings of Francisco Salzillo.

For its part, the Church of Santo Domingo It was built at the end of the XNUMXth century in a Baroque style and its most relevant element is the majarra chapel. The Temple of Carmen, from the same period, combines classic and popular elements. and the one of Saint Mary of Grace, built in the XNUMXth century, although still unfinished, is the starting point for Holy Week processions. Not surprisingly, it also houses several works by Salzillo and equally of Mariano Benlliure, John Gonzalez Moreno y Joseph Capuz. Also these last two churches respond to the baroque style.

modernist buildings

Grand Hotel of Cartagena

Gran Hotel building, one of the most beautiful modernist constructions in Cartagena

You are probably a little dazzled by so many wonders to see in Cartagena in Murcia. But we still have to see its modernist and eclectic buildings, as well as other things.

Many of the first ones are due to the architect from Tarragona Victor Beltri. He arrived in the city in 1895, when it was in full expansion caused by the wealth from the La Unión mines. And the members of the bourgeoisie commissioned the houses from him. The result of this were the Cervantes, Llagostera, Zapata, Catalans and Maestre housesAs well as Aguirre's Palace.

But Beltrí also designed other constructions. For example, the beautiful modernist building of the Great Hotel, VIlla Calamari, a real architectural whim, and the Frigard Foundry, the latter together with Saenz de Tejada. However, one of the best buildings from this period in Cartagena is the Town Hall.

Eclectic in style, it was built between 1900 and 1907 on the plans of the architect Tomas Rico Valarino. It is an imposing construction with a triangular floor plan with a white marble façade and topped by zinc domes. Its entire exterior presents decoration alluding to the symbols of the city. His coat of arms, the castle of La Concepción and even the mural crown that the Latin general granted to Carthago Nova appear. Scipio the African. Likewise, in its interior the spectacular imperial staircase, the paintings and the lamps stand out.

However, the modernist heritage of Cartagena does not end with the above. We also advise you to visit the beautiful Pedreno Palace and train station. The first, also in an eclectic style, is the work of the architect Charles Stain. It was built in the last third of the XNUMXth century and was inspired by Renaissance villas. This is demonstrated by its pediment on the first floor and its roof lantern. But also its interior, with a neoclassical ballroom and a white marble staircase.

For its part, the railway station building was built at the beginning of the XNUMXth century under the direction of Ramon Peironcely. It consists of a central body with two floors with a large semicircular arch framed by columns. On the sides, it presents two lower arms and then the walls that close the tracks. On the façade, as main decorations, a clock and the name of the city stand out. But also several balconies finished in pediment.

Other things to see in Cartagena in Murcia

Peral Submarine

Isaac Peral Submarine

If what we have advised you to see in Cartagena in Murcia seems a lot to you, we will tell you that we have not finished our tour yet. In the city there is a magnificent panoramic elevator which also takes you to park towers, which surrounds the castle of La Concepción.

Near this you have the Shelter-Museum of the Civil War. It is a tunnel under the Cerro de la Concepción that was used during the war to protect itself from aerial bombardment. Although it was not finished, it came to give shelter to five thousand people. Since 2004, it can be visited and it also houses a Civil War interpretation center.

On the other hand, you can also see the submarine pear tree. It is located in the Naval Museum of Cartagena and, as its name suggests, it is the one created by Isaac Peral in 1888, first equipped with electric propulsion. Also of a military nature is the Monument to the Heroes of Cavite and Santiago de Cuba, which pays tribute to the Spaniards who died in the war between Spain with United States in 1898. It is located in the port of the city.

Finally, also in the port, we advise you to see the Congress Palace and Auditorium of El Batel, built at the beginning of the XNUMXst century and which is the work of the architects Jose Selgas y Lucia Cano. The building received an award at the XII Spanish Biennial of Architecture and Urbanism.

In conclusion, we have shown you what to see in Cartagena in Murcia. As you have seen, it has numerous monuments and other places of interest. In addition, since you visit it, you can take the opportunity to get to know other beautiful towns in the province such as archena, caravaca de la cruz o Moratalla. Don't you think that the historic Murcian town founded by the Carthaginians is very beautiful?


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