Cartegena - The Hidden Gem of the Costa Calida

History

Cartagena is a picturesque, ancient port city located in the province of Murcia, on the Costa Calida. Its South easterly, Mediterranean situation means that it benefits from long hot summers, mild winters and refreshing sea breezes that give respite from the heat at certain times of the year.  The coast enjoys an average of 325 days of sunshine each year making it the perfect spot to buy your rental property, holiday home or permanent residence. As one of the oldest cities in Spain, Cartagena has been dubbed a “hidden gem” many times, retaining its original charm in the face of progress, although certain areas have been modernized to increase its appeal. Christened “Qart Hadasht” by its founder, it holds over 3000 years of history within its walls, and its multicultural population still reflects the diverse cultures that have called it home over time. First came the Romans, who changed the name to “Carthago Nova”; who were replaced by Muslim settlers; before it was finally claimed by the Punics, also known as “Carthaginians” and the Christians. This transition has helped to shape the characteristics of the city, such as the famous Punic walls which were built in the 3^rd Century BC and acted as a defense against invasion. Most of Cartagena’s remaining places of interest are contained in an area enclosed by the city walls, long stretches of which are still intact. The four borders of the city include the broad Paseo de Alfonso XIII to the north, a strip of parkland and crooked avenue to the east, the seafront and modern harbour to the south and the former naval docks to the west.

Ferocious Battles

The evolving population has also brought about numerous tremendous battles, which are recreated through the local fiestas taking place during mid-September. If you are planning to attend the fiestas, some of the highlights to look out for include the arrival of the “Sacred Fire” in the harbour, the Roman Senate and Hannibal’s wedding; along with the nuptial celebrations and additional weddings in the Carthaginian streets, the Roman bike ride and the large craft market. The arrival of the Carthaginian Navy, which includes a staged sea battle and impressive parade of the troops is also well worth a look, with grand firework displays to accompany each of the presentations.

Museums

The people of Cartagena, which might include you if everything goes to plan, are extremely proud of their heritage, the secrets of which are displayed for all to see within the twelve acclaimed museums, periodic buildings and striking churches scattered across the city. They even organize a famous photography contest designed to honour their heritage, where contestants are invited to submit photos which best portray the city’s extraordinary archaeological heritage and tradition. The city’s growth began during the Roman era, with much of the original architecture still visible from that period, such as the Roman Theatre whose remains can be found near the Town Hall. This was once one of the country’s most important venues, and its legacy lives on within the Roman Theatre Museum that was established in 1987 to protect some of the most precious artifacts from the site. The “Casa Fortuna” is another museum located close to the Roman Theatre, which was created to demonstrate what daily life was like for Roman families during the first century AD.

Castle

Another picturesque and historical place to visit is Torres Park, where you will find the “Castillo de la Conception” and panoramic views across the city, taking in the harbour, mountains and fortress. The castle’s gardens are home to strutting peacocks which are extremely friendly, alongside of the “Centro de Interpretación de la Historia de Cartagena”, which for a small fee offers an interesting insight into the city’s colourful history through the centuries, via audio screens and a 10-minute film shown in English, French and Spanish. It is quite a long walk up but well worth it for the breathtaking views alone, and there is a lift available should you require. Other points of great historical importance are the Grand Casino; and ancient cathedral, which is open to the public during the last four days of each month from 10:00 to 12:00.

Historic Port

Due to its strategic coastal position, Cartagena has historically provided an important naval port for the country, and played a significant role in the voyages of the famous Spanish Armada. In recent years, the navy has moved out of Cartagena to make way for tourism, also becoming a hotbed for underwater archaeology. One related attraction that has truly put the city on the map is the ship-like shape of ARQVA, the Museum of Underwater Archaeology. The museum is half-submerged in the stretch of seafront just outside the city walls, and holds all manner of treasures from Spain’s marine history. Some of the highlights include remnants of a 7^th Century BC wreck of a Phoenician ship, an Islamic serving dish depicting a ship and part of the cargo of the wrecked frigate, “Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes” , which sank in 1804 but whose remains the Spanish government successfully claimed back from the US in 2012. Admission to the museum is free on Saturday afternoons (from 15:00) and Sundays; and just 3 euros at all other times. Over the past decade, Cartagena has developed a reputation as a booming port of call for cruise ships, with a total of 150 liners expected to dock there during 2017, bringing around 230 000 tourists to the city and the Murcia Region. The majority of visitors are anticipated to hail from Germany and Great Britain, as well as France, Italy and certain parts of Asia. The port authority has promised to expand and enhance the amenities surrounding the harbour, with improvements to infrastructure commencing last year, in the hope of attracting a higher volume of foreign visitors and boost to the economy. Anyone thinking of moving to Cartagena should take note of this, as the investment will not only create a beautiful new phase to the city, but also a variety of interesting employment opportunities in a number of sectors.

Nature

Aside from culture, Cartagena holds many treasures for nature lovers, from the glorious coastline and cliffs to a network of fascinating natural trails. To view some of the city’s most breathtaking scenery, you should pay a visit to “Calblanque” Regional Park, which has been a protected natural area since 1987 and nature reserve since 1992. The park spans 2400 hectares, and 13 kilometres of coastline, housing a diverse collection of sandy beaches, sandbanks, arid hilltops, jagged cliffs and salt flats, making it an area of great ecological value. As the last remaining undeveloped section of Mediterranean coastline, there are no amenities here, apart from toilets within the visitor’s centre, so you will need to pack a picnic and plenty of refreshments for the walk. Also, it is worth noting that this area is not recommended for bathing, as there are strong undercurrents along the coastline where the bottom of the sea drops steeply away in line with the cliffs above. There are however several well marked hiking and cycle paths to chose from taking you from one ecosystem to another. Sightseers are invited to enjoy a guided tour and activity programme during the summer season, giving useful insight into the natural flora and fauna found in Calblanque Park, as well as some handy tips for bird watchers. The tour is highly recommended to anyone moving into the area who can then note the prime spots for future reference and take a stroll here at their leisure.

Shopping

If your ideal location includes a selection of shops and amenities within easy reach then Cartagena will not disappoint, with a pedestrian zone on Avenida Mayor lined with a vast array of high street stores and boutiques. Starting at the Town Hall and following the avenue down to the “Plaza de Espana”, shoppers will find all of their favourite department stores, such as Mango, Zara, Celio, Springfield and Pull & Bear, as well as the popular Spanish clothing outlets Desigual and Sfera. A more picturesque shopping experience will take you through the ancient narrow streets, which are home to small gift shops, book stores, exclusive fashion boutique, jewellers, shoe and perfume shops. Alternatively, for the chance to “shop til you drop”, Cartagena has a huge indoor shopping mall called “Espacio Mediteraneo”, where you can find everything you could wish for under one roof! High street names such as Massimo Dutti, Zara, C&A, Cortefiel, Pull & Bear, Bershka and Stradivarius can all be found here, alongside of a Carrefour superstore, a Cinema and a Bowling Alley. The first floor offers a spacious food court, with a selection of bars, restaurants and fast food caterers to suit all tastes.

Rugby

As Spain is such a distinguished footballing nation you may think that there is not much room for other ball games, and certainly not rugby! On the contrary, fans will be pleased to learn that Cartagena has a well-established and successful club, CRU Cartagena, which was founded by a keen group of University students over twenty years ago. The club went from strength to strength, commencing its journey by competing against other university teams before spending three seasons playing in a regional league. The team went on to win two finals of the Spanish championship “Inter-EUITI”, during 1995 and 1997, and reached the semi-finals of the same contest in 1996. During the 1995/96 season, CRUC was also invited to join the second category of the Valencia league, accelerating up the ranks to the premier league by 2002. Sadly the club was forced to leave the league due to bureaucratic matters and has spend the last few years playing against rival Spanish clubs in the Castilla la Mancha- Murcia league. CRUC is currently sponsored by the esteemed local legal firm “Professional and Legal Solutions SL” which has offices within the city as well as in Puerto de Mazarron. The club welcomes male and female players of all ages and abilities, having also established a children’s training school in 2003, which meets there every Saturday morning at 11:00. The senior male squad trains on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 20:30; and females on Mondays and Wednesdays at the same time. There are also clubs for under 16’s and Under 18’s which meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 19:00. CRUC is always keen to recruit and nurture new talent, so do not hesitate to contact them if you feel that you might like to become involved. For more information you may also consult their website www.rugbycartagena.com.

Party Time!

Festivals and celebrations are an integral part of Spanish life, and should you decide to purchase property in Cartagena you will soon learn that it is the definition of a town which never sleeps! If you were lucky enough to be in Cartagena during Holy Week, you will probably have witnessed the fantastic parades which decorated the streets by day and night throughout the Easter period. Points of interest featured each year include the military precision of the penitents’ marching, the bountiful floral decoration of the thrones, and the attention to detail in the costumes and embroidery. The fiesta plays out the bitterness and rivalry that existed between the horse riders the “Californios” and their dangerous enemies the “Marrajos”, of the “Real e Ilustre Cofradía de Nuestro Padre Jesús Nazareno” society of Cofradias which was founded in Cartagena in 1641.

Another engaging fiesta to note in your diary is the “Mar de Musicas” or Sea of Music festival, which is a festival of new and world music held annually during July. A relative new entry to the city’s fiesta calendar, the celebration has already achieved a unanimous recognition at both a national and international level, with its popularity growing year on year. Set within the picturesque surroundings of Cabo de Palos, on the shores of the Mediterranean, each August is the “Habaneras” Music Festival. A hypnotic blend of sounds, colours and flavours, the festival celebrates the wonder of Habaneras music welcoming choirs from across the world. “Cartagena Jazz Festival” is another big event for the city, whose reputation has grown on a global scale since its inception in 1980. Taking place each year during November, the festival incorporates a series of exhibitions, live open-air concerts, performances in cafes, bars and other venues across the city. The “Folklore Festival·” takes place in La Palma, featuring a programme of folk performances, festivals, exhibitions and cabarets, which are meant to represent the traditions and dances of the “Campo de Cartagena”. Finally, the “International Film Festival” is a real treat for movie lovers, filling the city with film trivia, animated stories, documentaries, and practically everything associated with the big screen.