Spain Travels – A Land of History and Great Food!
Barcelona || Zaragoza || Daroca and Albarracin || Valencia || Cartegena || Almeria || Granada || Alhambra || Segovia and Madrid Cartegena
Founded in 220BC by the Carthegenians, Cartagena has persisted in being a major strategic port city for the Iberian Peninsula on the Mediterranean. It was also important for the Romans during their rein of Spain. It has been a Strategic naval port for Spain since the 18th Century. Its rich cultural history has made it a Cruise Ship and regular tourist destination. The Old Town spreads from the port, and is now surrounded by the growing city. This creates a cool old vs new contrast to Cartegena. It was a great place to spend a couple of nights and walk around to take in the History of Spain.
In Cartegena we stayed at an AirB&B in the newer part of town on Calle Alfonso X el Sabio which was an easy walk to the old Town.
Chinese restaurants everywhere!
Cartegena’s rich history
The Grand Hotel – an Art Nouveau building built in the early 20th century
Cool ship in the Harbour
Apparently this is owned by a Russion Oligarch who lives on it most of the year.
Lee dips his toes in the Mediterranean
Sunset and ships
Calle Mayor – Refurbished Old Town
Planted in 1927 These Ficus Marophila ( Australian Fig Trees or Banyan) Dominate the Plaza de San Francisco
Old Roman Walls.
Unearthing Roman ruins that had been covered by successive inhabitants
More Roman Walls
Lined by Olive trees!
New art in the old town.
Roman Theatre of Carthago Nova
Roman Theatre of Carthago Nova