In the autonomous region of Murcia is a small Mediterranean port of Spain - the city of Cartagena. It can not be called large and numerous - there are just over 210 thousand inhabitants. If we talk about where is Cartagena, then this is the south-east coast of the country. This settlement is located in a flat area, on the southern coast of the peninsula of Palos in a small bay. In the northern part of Cartagena is surrounded by mountain ranges, and in the south-west - by mountains. Despite the fact that the city is a large industrial center of Spain, there are many interesting sights. So, we will tell you about what to see in Cartagena, well, it will be easier for you to plan your tourist itinerary.
History of Cartagena
The city was founded a long time ago - the first mention of it dates from 227 BC. Cartagena was founded by the Carthaginian general Gasrubal on the site of the ancient settlement of Mastia. At first the settlement was given the name of Kvart Hadast. Later in the Punic Wars, the city was taken under the authority of the Roman army and became known as Cartagena.
During the reign of the Romans, Cartagena reached its peak. With the fall of the Roman Empire, the city was conquered by the barbarians, after that the Visigoths, then became the capital of the Spanish province of the Byzantine Empire. In 1245, Cartagena was annexed by King Alfonso X of Castile. Gradually the city was turned into the most important military seaport, there were built defensive buildings. The point was often involved in various wars. Since the 19th century, the economy and the mining industry are developing here. There is an interesting fact: Cartagena was the last city to surrender to the troops of dictator Francisco Franco during the Civil War in 1936-1939.
Cartagena, Spain: tourist attractions
The ancient history of the city left a big mark in his real life. Most of the sights refer to the era of Roman domination. Here, for example, are the remains of the Roman theater. It was built in the 1st century AD under the emperor Augustus. To date, it has been restored and turned into a beautiful museum, where you can get acquainted with the history of the city and its architect. Remains and the ruins of the Roman colonnade, the tower for the burial of La Torre Ciega and the Roman Amphitheater, the elements of which were used to build the bullring, the architectural ensemble Decumano.
Among the attractions of Cartagena stands the ruins of the Cathedral of Santa Maria de la Vieja. The building was built in the 13th century, but during the civil war it was destroyed. In addition, significant monuments of the city's architecture are the castle of La Concepción, the fortress of La Navidad, the town hall of Paseo de Alfonso, the Palace of Aggir and many other buildings. When visiting the city, almost all tourists necessarily set their stops to the largest naval base in Europe and the Naval Staff.
Look worth it and on an amazing monument-fountain. It is a submarine Perala, used earlier as a model of the first Spanish submarine since 1890.
Picturesque and colorful views await tourists in the Mar Menor. The so-called cozy lagoon, which is separated from the Mediterranean Sea by a thin isthmus. The lagoon is shallow - about 7 m, but the water, clean and salty, warms up to high temperatures. Therefore, the swimming season lasts from the beginning of spring until the end of autumn. You can relax on the beach not only here. Some of the best beaches of Cartagena are in the resort of Costa Calida. True, everywhere the coast is rocky and precipitous.
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