ARCHIVED - Work begins to allow consolidation of the outer wall of the Roman amphitheatre in Cartagena

The amphitheatre is still mostly under ground but is an important part of the historical heritage of Cartagena

Monday 9th December saw the start of preliminary excavations which will make it possible to reinforce the remains outside wall of the Roman amphitheatre which still lies almost completely buried under the city’s bull ring.

This is a preparatory step which is necessary before the next major phase of the long-term project to bring to light more of the 2,000-year-old amphitheatre, and the work is budgeted to cost 21,000 euros over the course of a month or so. Any items of archaeological interest found will be identified and catalogued, along with a record of the depth at which they are found, before the reinforcement work itself begins.

The budget for the reinforcement is far larger at 400,000 euros and is co-financed by the national government (75 per cent) and the Town Hall, and brings a little closer the ultimate aim of adding the amphitheatre to the already impressive list of Roman buildings of which the remains can be visited in Cartagena. The best known of these is the Roman theatre, which is home to the most visited museum in the Region of Murcia.

For more local events, news and tourist information go to the Cartagena section of Murcia Today.

Follow Murcia Today on Facebook to keep up to date with all the latest news, events and information in the Region of Murcia and the rest of Spain: https://www.facebook.com/MurciaToday/