Cartagena

This coastal settlement sits on a natural Mediterranean harbor ringed by four hills and protected by old fortifications. The historic core runs from the waterfront to the slopes of Castillo de la Concepción, with a Roman theatre from the 1st century BCE.

Carthaginian general Hasdrubal founded the settlement in 227 BCE under the name Qart Hadasht. Romans took it in 209 BCE and renamed it Carthago Nova, developing the harbor into a major fleet base.

The National Museum of Underwater Archaeology displays shipwrecks and trade goods from every period of the harbor's past. Around Plaza del Ayuntamiento, narrow streets run past Art Nouveau mansions standing beside older facades from the 18th century.

A walk through the old town connects the Roman theatre, Byzantine wall, hilltop fortress and Art Nouveau buildings along Calle Mayor. Most landmarks lie within the compact center and are reachable on foot.

Silver mines near La Unión once supplied metal for Carthaginian coins and later for Roman campaigns. An underground network of tunnels and shafts still runs beneath the hills south of the city.

Location: Region of Murcia

Inception: 227 BCE

Capital city: Cartagena city

Elevation above the sea: 10 m

Shares border with: Mazarrón, Murcia, La Unión, Los Alcázares, Fuente Álamo de Murcia, San Javier, Torre-Pacheco

Address: Cartagena, Murcia, Spain

Website: http://cartagena.es

GPS coordinates: 37.60194,-0.98417

Latest update: December 4, 2025 19:00