Cartagena

The history of Cartagena is a journey through the centuries that began long before the common era. Strategically located on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, the city has witnessed the rise and fall of great civilizations, each of which left an indelible mark on its appearance and culture.

Founding and the Ancient Era

The city was founded by the Carthaginian general Hasdrubal the Fair around 227 BC and was named Qart Hadasht, meaning "New City." It shared this name with its famous metropolis—Carthage. Thanks to its location, Qart Hadasht quickly became the capital of Carthaginian holdings on the Iberian Peninsula. However, the era of Carthaginian dominance was short-lived. In 209 BC, during the Second Punic War, the city was conquered by the Roman general Scipio Africanus. The Romans renamed it Carthago Nova (New Carthage) and transformed it into one of the most important cities of Roman Spain.

Key Factors of Development

Cartagena's prosperity since ancient times has been driven by several key factors:

• Strategic Location: The city possesses one of the best natural harbors in the Mediterranean, protected from winds and convenient for anchoring military and merchant vessels.
• Natural Wealth: The city's surroundings were rich in silver and lead deposits, the extraction of which became the backbone of the economy for both Carthaginians and Romans.
• Military Importance: Thanks to its port and fortifications, Cartagena has always been a vital naval outpost.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

During the Roman period, Carthago Nova reached its zenith. The city was granted colony status, which gave its residents significant privileges. Monumental structures were built, such as the Roman Theater and the Forum, the ruins of which remain impressive today. The economy thrived on mining, shipbuilding, and the export of local goods, including the famous fish sauce garum and products made from esparto grass. It was a bustling cosmopolitan center where trade routes and cultural influences from across the Mediterranean intersected.

Key Dates in the History of Cartagena

The history of Cartagena is a kaleidoscope of eras and civilizations. Founded by Carthaginians, reaching its peak under the Romans, and becoming a key Spanish port, the city preserves the memory of every period of its rich past.

• C. 227 BC — Carthaginian general Hasdrubal the Fair founds the city under the name Qart Hadasht ("New City").
• 209 BC — During the Second Punic War, Roman commander Scipio Africanus conquers the city, which receives a new name — Carthago Nova (New Carthage).
• 298 AD — Emperor Diocletian makes Carthago Nova the capital of the new Roman province of Carthaginensis.
• C. 425 AD — The city is plundered by Vandals during their advance into North Africa.
• C. 550 AD — Cartagena is conquered by the Byzantine Empire under Emperor Justinian I and becomes the capital of the province of Spania under the name Carthago Spartaria.
• C. 622 AD — The Visigoths capture and almost completely destroy the city, leading to a long period of decline.
• 1245 — The Castilian Prince Alfonso (future King Alfonso X the Wise) recaptures the city from the Moors during the Reconquista.
• 1270 — King Alfonso X the Wise establishes the Order of Saint Mary of Spain in Cartagena to protect the kingdom at sea.
• Early 16th c. — The city is finally secured by the Spanish Crown and becomes an important military outpost and base for the galley fleet.
• 1728 — Cartagena becomes the capital of the Mediterranean Maritime Department of Spain, triggering the construction of the Arsenal and strengthening its status as the country's main naval base.
• 1873 — The city becomes the center of the Cantonal Revolution, during which an independent canton is proclaimed, leading to a long siege and significant destruction.
• 1936–1939 — During the Spanish Civil War, Cartagena remains a major naval base and one of the strongholds for the government's maritime forces.

The development of the city of Cartagena is a series of peaks driven by its unique strategic position and natural resources. Each era has cardinally changed the city's appearance, turning it sometimes into an impregnable fortress and other times into a luxurious commercial metropolis.

Here are the key milestones that defined the modern look and character of this coastal corner, which Spain is proud of:

• Founding of Qart Hadasht (227 BC)
  The transformation of a natural bay into Carthage's main stronghold on the Iberian Peninsula. This event launched large-scale development of silver mines, laying the economic foundation of the region for millennia to come.
• Roman Urbanization (1st century BC – 1st century AD)
  The period of the highest ancient prosperity. The city received a regular street plan, an aqueduct, and monumental public buildings (theater, amphitheater, forum). Cartagena became a key imperial port for the export of silver, lead, and garum sauce.
• Establishment of the General Maritime Department (18th century)
  The decision to make the city the main base for the navy in the Mediterranean completely reshaped its structure. The construction of the grand Arsenal, military hospitals, and the Charles III walls turned the settlement into a powerful fortification complex dominating the landscape.
• Mining Boom (late 19th century)
  Intensification of mineral extraction in the Sierra Minera mountains led to a colossal influx of capital. This triggered a "building fever": the city center filled with luxurious Modernist buildings constructed for the wealthy bourgeoisie, giving the streets their current elegant appearance.
• Industrialization of the Escombreras Valley (mid-20th century)
  A shift in the economic vector toward energy and petrochemistry. The creation of an industrial cluster provided the city with jobs and new infrastructure during the depletion of the mines, forming the modern industrial profile of the outskirts.
• Cultural Renovation and Opening to the Sea (21st century)
  A global transformation from a closed military and industrial port into a tourism hub. The discovery and restoration of the Roman Theater, the creation of the museum network (Puerto de Culturas), and the reconstruction of the waterfront have allowed the city to take an important place on the cruise tourism map.

Cartagena's architectural character is a multi-layered history book, where each era has left its unique "records" in stone. From monumental Roman structures to elegant Art Nouveau facades, the city is a living museum of urban planning, reflecting its turbulent past and dynamic development.

Ancient Heritage: Roman Rationality

The foundations of Cartagena's urban planning were laid during the Roman era, when the city, known as Carthago Nova, became an important center of the empire. The Romans introduced their classical layout with a clear grid of streets, a forum, and public buildings. The most magnificent monument of this era is the Roman Theater (1st century BC), discovered only at the end of the 20th century. Its scale and rich decoration testify to the city's prosperity. Fragments of Roman residential houses also remain, such as the "House of Fortune" (Casa de la Fortuna), along with the remains of the forum in the El Molinete archaeological zone.

The Era of Baroque and Neoclassicism: Military Might

After a long period of decline in the Middle Ages, a new architectural revival in Cartagena began in the 18th century, when the city became Spain's primary naval base in the Mediterranean. This era was marked by Baroque and strict Neoclassicism, dictated by military needs. A key project was the construction of the Arsenal—a massive complex of shipyards and fortifications. The city was surrounded by the Wall of Charles III, and monumental buildings appeared in the center, such as the former Naval Hospital (now the Polytechnic University building) and the Neoclassical Basilica de la Caridad.

Bourgeois Chic: The Rise of Modernism

The late 19th and early 20th centuries became a "golden age" for Cartagena's architecture due to rapid economic growth linked to mining. The local bourgeoisie, having grown wealthy, sought to demonstrate their status, leading to a building boom in the Modernist style (Art Nouveau). The city's main pedestrian street, Calle Mayor, and its adjacent neighborhoods turned into an exhibition of luxurious buildings with elegant balconies, bay windows, and rich decoration. Iconic structures of this period include:

• Consistorial Palace (City Hall)—an elegant triangular building made of white marble.
• Grand Hotel—one of the first examples of Modernism in the region, preserving its magnificent facade.
• Aguirre Palace and Maestre House, the architecture of which is reminiscent of Gaudí's works.

Modernity: A Dialogue with History

The contemporary development of Cartagena is characterized by a respectful attitude toward its heritage and its integration into the urban environment. The most striking example is the restoration and museumification project of the Roman Theater, executed by the famous architect Rafael Moneo. He did not simply restore the monument but created an entire complex, organically weaving ancient ruins into the modern city. Another example is the El Batel Conference Center, a contemporary building harmoniously situated in the port area, which has become a new cultural center for the city.

Prominent Figures in the History of Cartagena

Throughout its long and rich history, Cartagena has been the birthplace or place of work for many outstanding individuals who left their mark not only on the city's fate but also on global heritage. From ancient generals to modern artists, here are just a few of the key figures associated with this city.

Hasdrubal the Fair

The Carthaginian general who founded the city around 227 BC under the name Qart Hadasht. It was he who chose this strategically important location with its magnificent natural harbor, turning it into the capital of Carthaginian territories on the Iberian Peninsula and laying the foundations for the future great port.

Scipio Africanus

A brilliant Roman general whose name is inextricably linked to the history of Cartagena. In 209 BC, he executed a masterful military maneuver to conquer the city, which from that moment was called Carthago Nova. This victory was a turning point in the Second Punic War and turned the city into Rome's main bridgehead in Spain.

Isidore of Seville

One of the greatest intellectuals of the early Middle Ages, born in Cartagena around 560 AD. An archbishop, scholar, and author of the fundamental work "Etymologiae," which is considered one of the first encyclopedias in history. His writings preserved a significant portion of the knowledge of the ancient world for posterity.

Isaac Peral

An engineer, naval officer, and inventor born in Cartagena in 1851. He went down in history as the creator of one of the world's first fully electric submarines equipped with torpedoes. His invention, the "Peral" submarine, is now a primary exhibit at the Naval Museum of Cartagena and a source of city pride.

Carmen Conde

A distinguished poet and writer born in Cartagena in 1907. She made history as the first woman elected as a member of the Royal Spanish Academy in 1978. Along with her husband Antonio Oliver, she founded the city's first People's Library, making a huge contribution to the cultural life of Cartagena.

Arturo Pérez-Reverte

One of the most widely read and famous contemporary Spanish writers, born in Cartagena in 1951. A former war correspondent, he became famous for his historical adventure novels, particularly the Captain Alatriste series. His hometown and its rich maritime history often serve as inspiration for his works.