Seamanship Instruction Barracks, Cartagena

The Seamanship Instruction Barracks is a rectangular stone building with massive walls and a central courtyard located on Calle Real street. The complex features multiple levels and displays military architecture from the late 1700s with symmetrical facades and organized spaces designed for training purposes.

The building was constructed between 1776 and 1786 by architects Mateo Vodopich and Francisco Gautier as a military prison. It served this purpose until 1945 before being repurposed as an educational facility.

The building represents Spanish naval education traditions through its transformation from a prison to a modern university facility in 2009.

The site is located in central Cartagena and is accessible on foot from the old town area. It is now part of the Polytechnic University and can be visited during opening hours, especially when university or cultural events are taking place.

The building preserves original features from the 18th century while functioning today as a modern educational center. This blend of historic architecture with contemporary academic use shows how military buildings can be successfully converted for modern purposes.

Location: Cartagena

GPS coordinates: 37.59831,-0.98699

Latest update: December 12, 2025 07:53