Cartagena is situated on the shores of the Mediterranean in the south east of Spain. It is a city with a population of around 210,000 people.
As it has a natural safe harbour and occupies a strategic position as a landing point into Spain from the Mediterranean, Cartagena has a long naval history. It has been one of Spain’s most significant military ports since the 16th century. Today it is the headquarters of the Spanish Navy’s Maritime Department of the Mediterranean and the site of a large naval shipyard. An interesting site near the entrance to the port is the Peral Submarine. This submarine, the world’s first electric battery powered one, was built in 1888 and was presented to Cartagena by the Spanish navy in the 1970s.
The Archaeology Museum is home to many artefacts from the days when Cartagena was occupied by peoples such as the Romans, Moors, Carthaginians and the Visigoths. There are also two maritime museums, one of which has a section from a Roman ship on display.
There is further evidence of the Romans occupation of the city in the form of the remains of a Roman theatre which has recently been uncovered on a hillside on Cartagena’s outskirts.
Cartagena is surrounded by five hills that have the sites of a number of castles and forts. One of the best preserved is Concepcion castle, known to the locals as the Castle of the Ducks. As well as giving panoramic views of the coastline the castle houses a visitor centre which aims to help visitors understand the various occupations of the city.
As befits a city on the edge of the Mediterranean, Cartagena has its beaches. The beach at Cala Cortina is a secluded cove on the edge of Cartagena although it can be busy during the summer months. It has lifeguards and a fish restaurant.
Probably more suited to a cultural type of holiday than a family fun holiday Cartagena is one of the less busy spots on this part of the Spanish Mediterranean coastline.
