Cartagena

Cartagena sits on the Costa Calida within Murcia. Despite the scruffy views as you enter the city, you will find within, a wealth of history and beautiful architecture. Along the port area which is used by the Navy, there are an array of restaurants when you can sit and relax around the harbour.

Cartagena has always been a major port, due to its unique position on the Mediterranean coast and you will see high on the hilltops, several forts and castles. Pictured here is the Peral Submarine, built in Cadiz in 1884, the very first.

The Roman Ampitheatre is open Monday to Saturday, from 10.30am to 1.30pm and from 5pm to 7pm. On Sundays it is open from 10.30pm to 1.30pm.
Cartagena's 6,000 seat theatre was lost for some 1,800 years. Happily, work is now well advanced on restoration and visitors can see the remains of one of the city's glories of Roman times.

The theatre consisted not just of a stage and seating but also included gardens, cloisters and areas where citizens could enjoy peace and quiet or could discuss affairs of the city. Today archaeologists, architects, technical specialists and support crews are working hard to restore not just the remains but to recreate the sense of elegance that once filled this space at the heart of the city.

The theatre is easy to find. Start at the old town hall near the waterfront and look for the Calle Cañon. Walk slightly up hill to the end of this little street and turn right, up some steps, and you will come to the theatre. There is an information panel to read and visitors can walk into the theatre and view the remains and the restoration work that is now under way.

	The treasures of the underwater archaeological heritage Of special interest is a collection of elephant tusks with Phoenician inscriptions, the only one of its kind in the world. Amphorae, lead ingots, anchors, even a life-size model of a Roman merchant ship. This is only part of what is contained in this museum
	This is an unspoiled cove which is often reached by boat. Rocks convert this beach into a natural port.
	In Canteras, a district that has assumed the name of the local quarries, it was found some mining of sandstone, known as «tabaire» by the Carthagini-ans. The first evidence of the use of this material in local constructions dates back to the Punic epoch, when the walls of the city were built from this stone. It was used intensively during the Roman era, as also in the XVIII and XIX centuries until its use was abandoned at the beginning of the XX century
	The Campo de Cartagena is a natural area that extends from the hilly ranges of Mazarrón and Carrascoy to the coasts of the Mar Menor and the Mediterranean. Comprising an area of 169, 800 hectares and blessed with an exceptionally mild climate the region has become an ideal location for the cultivation of dry-farming crops, outstanding amongst which are cereals such as wheat, barley and the like, and fruit-bearing trees like almonds, carobs, olives and figs

Modern shopping in an old town

It is best to park down at the waterfront, where there is a large underground car park. As you walk up from here, face the city walls and turn to the left. Walk along until you see a big ornate building, which is the newly-restored original town hall. Turn and walk past that building, which will be on your left, until you come to the Calle Mayor. Alternatively you can visit Spain´s equivalent to John Lewis, El Corte Ingles.