National Museum of Underwater Archaeology

The National Museum of Underwater Archaeology in Cartagena houses maritime artifacts and discoveries recovered from Spanish waters, ranging from ancient pottery to ship components and navigation tools. The building sits near the harbor and organizes these materials across several exhibition galleries with clear navigation and detailed labeling.

The institution was established in 1970 to focus on underwater archaeological research and artifact recovery from Spanish maritime sites. Its move to the current waterfront location in 2008 reflected the growing importance of maritime archaeology and the need for better conservation facilities.

The collection reveals how maritime trade and naval activity shaped Spain's coastal regions over centuries, and visitors encounter daily objects that once belonged to ancient sailors and merchants. These artifacts offer direct insight into how people lived and traveled across Mediterranean waters.

Wear comfortable shoes as you move through multiple levels of galleries and explore the collections at your own pace. The museum sits near public transit and parking options, making it straightforward to reach from central Cartagena.

The collection includes an enormous hoard of over 570,000 gold and silver coins from the sunken Mercedes frigate, a discovery that reveals the scale of wealth transported across Spanish seas centuries ago. Few museums worldwide hold such a concentrated treasure from a single maritime loss.