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Cartagena Today

The city of Cartagena

Cartagena is a city of contrasts, its rich cultural and military history merely a backdrop for the industrial and commercial activity which supports the second largest city in the Region of Murcia.

Its natural strategic port has offered shelter to traders for thousands of years, and the rich mines of the Sierra Minera provided a reason for the frequent wars which were fought in order to possess it, Cartagena still being a major naval base today, as well as boasting a rich military heritage of patrimony. The history of Cartagena charts its development and the cultures which have shaped it today.

The city has developed a lucrative tourism industry based on the number of historical places which tourists can visit and enjoy, including the RomanTheatre Museum, ARQUA, MURAM, Casa de la Fortuna, Cartagena Municipal Archaeology Museum, the Augusteum, the Molinete and other well preserved Roman buildings and museums.

In addition there has been major investment in the creation of a new market for cruise ship tourism.

Cartagena

These days the port remains a major focal point for commercial activity, and the Escombreras industrial area has attracted major businesses including the Repsol refinery, SABIC petrochemicals and Holcim concrete plants within a concealed industrial zone. Cartagena is also the home of the regional parliament building of Murcia.

The Campo de Cartagena is a major source of agricultural employment, copnsisting of flat and fertile irrigated areas where salad crops, peppers, potatoes and courgettes are grown, while non-irrigated crops include olives, carobs and almonds.

The more mountainous outlying districts of Cartagena boast extensive areas of beaches, stretching around the coastline from Isla Plana in the west to Cabo de Palos in the east. Here, the spit of La Manga del Mar Menor encloses the Mar Menor, giving Cartagena an extensive offering of prime sandy beaches with safe bathing conditions in Europe's largest saltwater lagoon.

This in turn creates a varied leisure industry, with watersports, a motor racing circuit, some of the best diving facilities in Europe and one of Spain's most prestigious golf and residential complexes, La Manga Club, all creating leisure and tourism opportunities for local businesses.

Cartagena has a rich cultural offering, with important Semana Santa and Romans and Carthaginians fiestas, Carnival, the Mar de Músicas and Cartagena Jazz festivals. The El Batel auditorium and congress centre enhances an already rich cultural programme.

LOCATION

Click for map, Cartagena Spain

There is often confusion on map searches as there is another Cartagena in Columbia. Cartagena Spain is located in the south of the region of Murcia and is a major port and industrial centre.

The municipality of Cartagena covers an area of 558 square kilometres, with a population of 218,000 making it the second most populated municipality of the 45 in the Region of Murcia.

It shares boundaries with Torre Pacheco, Los Alcázares, La Unión, Mazarrón and Fuente Álamo.

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CARTAGENA

The first phase of excavation of the portico of the Roman Theatre of Cartagena is almost completeFindings from the archaeological site will be displayed at the Roman Theatre Museum in Cartagena The excavation works carried out in the first third of the Portico of the Roman Theatre of Cartagena are about to be completed. The recovery and restoration.. 21/09/2023

Isaac Peral House Museum in Cartagena could finally open by next summerA further 300,000 euros will need to be pumped into the project in order to complete the submarine museum During the first half of next year, Cartagena will add another exciting tourist attraction to its extensive network of museums with the Isaac.. 20/09/2023

Cartagena steps up cleaning of its ramblas to prevent floodingCartagena City Council continues cleaning ramblas to reduce the possible impact of heavy rainfall The City Council of Cartagena is continuing its campaign to clean and clear the ‘rambla’ waterways in order to minimise the effects of the.. 20/09/2023

Demolition on Cartagena Guardia Civil barracks continues with officers still working insideAround 70 officers are forced to work in the Cartagena station as the building is torn down around them Although demolition of the old Guardia Civil barracks in Cartagena began several weeks ago, on August 27, as many as 70 officers continue to work.. 19/09/2023

Cartagena gets a new weekly street market this TuesdayThe new street market in El Albujón will start this week There will be a new street market starting this Tuesday September 19 in El Albujón, Cartagena, which will run every Tuesday morning throughout the year. A year ago.. 18/09/2023

UK Padel magazine editor visits Club MMGRMike Dale, the editor of UK online Padel magazine “The Padel Paper” visits Club MMGR, Mar Menor Golf Resort While on a family break in nearby Orihuela Costa, the editor of UK online Padel magazine “The Padel Paper” Mike Dale was.. 13/09/2023

Mazarron, Cartagena and Mar Menor towns propose new railway line to join Costa Calida municipalitiesIn a historical meeting, representatives of towns all along the Murcia coast have agreed to boost the ‘Costa Cálida’ brand, including with a possible new rail connection The Mayor of Mazarrón, Ginés Campillo, has taken.. 13/09/2023

Cabo de Palos and La Manga buses to run until end of SeptemberCartagena extends its bus services for a further three weeks The municipality of Cartagena has chosen to extend its additional bus service that connects the city with La Manga del Mar Menor until the end of September, and to maintain the line that.. 11/09/2023

Cartagena to improve greenway walking routes for the 2024 Holy Jubilee year in CaravacaTwo pilgrimage routes exist from Cartagena to Caravaca in the north-west of Murcia The Town Hall of Cartagena has announced the work will be carried out to spruce up the “Ruta del Apóstol” walking route which can be followed by pilgrims.. 11/09/2023

CEMEX temporarily halts mining operations in Cartagena WestA new environmental protection measure has been introduced to prevent mining following public opposition Mexican company CEMEX announced this Tuesday September 5 that it will temporarily halt its mining operations in Cartagena West in search of pozzolana.. 06/09/2023

Until October 1 Marinera tapas routes in different areas of the Region of MurciaThis typical Murcia and Cartagena tapa is among the most representative of the Region Among the most popular tapas in the Region of Murcia is the emblematic “marinera”, which consists of a generous portion of Russian salad balanced on a “..

Explore the benefits of Pilates at Club MMGRGet your body and mind in tune with personalised classes for all levels at Club MMGR, Mar Menor Golf Resort Join in Pilates at Mar Menor Golf Resort's Club MMGR with personalised classes for all levels. Exercises are guided and in a relaxing environment..

Discover the benefits of Club MMGR membership at the Mar Menor Golf ResortDiscounts, guaranteed access, unlimited use of primary facilities, arranged events and much more when you become a Club MMGR Member Club MMGR at Mar Menor Golf Resort offers Individual, Couple and Family Memberships. With Club Membership packages to suit everyone..

Cartagena promotes the rural treasures of Perín, Tallante, Isla Plana and La AzohíaTourism in and around Cartagena is more than Roman architecture and spectacular beaches! The city and municipality of Cartagena is blessed with several major tourist attractions including the magnificent Roman architecture which is still being revealed.. 14/08/2023

Club MMGR announce increased bar and restaurant discount for membersIn response to the Club MMGR Bar and Restaurant’s continuing popularity the member’s discount is being increased to 15% After experiencing a sustained high volume in business, management at the Club MMGR in the Mar Menor Golf Resort have made the..

7 of the spookiest haunts in the Region of MurciaLocations to send chills down your spine even in the heat of the Costa Cálida summer! The Region of Murcia is renowned for its sunshine, the warmth of its climate and its people, the good living and the delicious food, but even the Costa Cálida..