Celebration Time in Cartegena

Cartagena

Silver Spirit arrived at the port of Cartagena in southeastern Spain shortly before 9 am, Saturday, May 3.  SilverSea relatively recently added Cartagena as a stop on its Mediterranean itineraries.  Our friends Dave and Ellen had stopped at Cartagena on a cruise they took in 2013 and reported that it was an interesting town so we looked forward to exploring the city on our own.

Michael and I Start our Morning Exploration

Cartagena was founded from Carthage in 227 BC.  It was famous in antiquity as the place from which Hannibal set out, in 218 BC, with his army including his elephants, crossing the Pyrenees Mountains before narrowly failing to conquer Rome.  The Romans conquered Cartagena ten years later and ruled the area for the next four hundred years.  With the decline of the Roman Empire in the west, Vandals, Visigoths and finally Moors (Moslems) invaded Cartagena over the course of several hundred years.  From the eighth century AD on, various Islamic Caliphates held the area until 1245 AD when Alfonso X of Castile conquered Cartagena and established Christian rule. 

The port became an important naval base in the eighteenth century and served as the main base for the navy of the Republican army during the Spanish Civil War in the 1930’s. Ultimately, the Republicans lost to General Franco.  The city is still filled with ruins from that war
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We saw no sign of Cartagena’s Carthaginian heritage.  In recent years, archeological excavations have unearthed most of the Roman theater and various other Roman era ruins. Some, such as the Roman Baths, are in various stages of excavation.  The Roman theater and the 14^th century castle have been extensively restored.  Michael and I decided to check out the various archeological relics. 

Some of our Fellow Passengers Took a Segway Tour of Cartagena.

Partially Excavated Roman Baths

Remains of Roman Road and Excavation of Domus de la Fortuna, A Roman Residence

 

The Roman Theater - Cathedral Ruin Over Part of the Seating

Modern Amphitheater Partway Up the Hill Overlooks Ancient Theater

The ruins of a cathedral, bombed in the civil war, sit partially over the western part of a very large Roman amphitheater.  Two thirds of the way up the adjacent hill, the modern public ampetheater, wired for light and sound, awaited a performance. My picture of the two make an interesting contrast.

Silver Spirit from the Castle - The Ship Docked Almost in the Center of the Town.

Peacock on Castle Grounds

View of the Freestanding Elevator and the Ruin of the Bullring

After climbing  to the castle atop the hill and enjoying the views, we found an unusual freestanding elevator to take us down.  The Silver Spirit had docked a short walk from the center of town so it was easy to head back to the ship for lunch before venturing out in the afternoon for more exploration.  

Decorating the Doorway to the Cathedral - Observation Platform and Route to Roman Theater Above Door.

We noticed some sort of festival being organized during our morning walk.  People were setting up long tables at bar height on numerous side streets.  Barrels of beer were being delivered all across the town; stages were set up in various streets and alleys.   Citizens were decorating the entrance to the ruined cathedral with flowers.
 

After 2 pm the citywide party got going.  Michael and I went back ashore and found the locals celebrating their annual local saint and Roman heritage festival.  The celebration involved very loud music, energetic dancing, and consumption of quantities of food and drink.  Many of the people, from toddlers to older folks, were dressed in traditional clothing.  Everyone seemed to know the words and the dance moves to go with the music.  We had a great time watching them have a good time.

Revelers Relaxing in a Square

Two Youngsters Practicing the Local Spanish Dance

Some of the Costumes were Elaborate

Everyone Dances

Silver Spirit sailed at 6:00 pm, long before the height of the festivities.  It would have been fun to see the streets lit up after dark and, perhaps, eat some of the delicious looking paella we saw as it cooked.

Paella

Child Chasing a Pigeon