Transforming Ancient Cartagena Into A Modern Resort
Cartagena is set in the southeast of Spain and offers so much history that it seeps out of every wall there. The best way to enjoy Cartagena is to stroll through the city leisurely to soak in its beauty and history so that you will not miss anything.History
Cartagena was established by the Carthaginians in 223 BC and was named Quart Hadas which meant ‘new city’. Its commander Hasdrubel was succeeded by Hannibal who was renowned in his conquests. Cartagena was made the capital due to its natural harbor that was safely surrounded by many big and rocky landscapes. But the Romans conquered Cartagena in 209 BC and it was renamed Carthago Nova which means ‘new Carthage’. However, the Byzantines later conquered Cartagena, followed by the Arabs. These different cultures impacted the city and their remnants are still visible today.
Cartagena was established as a commercial port even from ancient times because of its deepwater port and strategic location. In ancient times, it was one of the richest cities because of its marine activities. Now it serves as Spain’s main port for commercial activities with a naval base. This was where the first submarine arrived in 1884 and it is still at the quayside for viewing by all. Cartagena was also rich in minerals and metallic ores which were mined heavily in the mountains that surround it.
Places of Attraction
One of the best sights in Cartagena is the 1st century Roman theatre where one can appreciate the fine arts which the Romans enjoyed so long ago. Other ancient ruins are the ancient lighthouse called Litema, which was built by the Arabs and the Punic ramparts. Augusteum is the city’s best archaeological site available to appreciate the culture and the architecture of ancient times. This site was believed to be the meeting place of Emperor Augustus’ priesthood cult.
The open top double-decker bus is the best and preferred way to tour Cartagena. A half-hour excursion with audio information will ensure that you cover most of the city’s popular destinations. Next, one should walk around the city to enjoy the new and old. The ancient remains and numerous historical architectural buildings can only be appreciated on foot. Cartagena has grown to be a bustling commercial centre with lots of modern shopping to offer. This is readily apparent by the many large shopping malls like El Corte Ingles. If you are a shopaholic, you must not miss that shopping mall.
A favorite water sport at Cartagena is scuba diving with its tempting clear blue sea. On a good day, scuba divers may be lucky enough to view moray eels, octopi and stonefish; you might even sight ancient remnants of sunken galleons off the coast left by numerous wars in ancient history.