Cartagena Puerto de Culturas tourist attractions in the city of Cartagena

Historic monuments and museums, tourist bus, boat trips and the panoramic lift

Cartagena Puerto de Culturas was formed in 2001 by the regional government of Murcia in collaboration with the Town Hall of Cartagena, the local Chamber of Commerce, the Employers' Confederation (COEC), the Port Authority and the Polytechnic University (UPCT) with the main objective of promoting tourism in the city in relation to its historical and archaeological heritage.

Among the specific objectives were the promotion of heritage resources, the positioning of the image of Cartagena in the cultural tourism market, the development of tourist and cultural services and the establishment of a sustainable management environment of the tourism resources and cultural positions being developed. In 2011 the regional government left the consortium but the other partners remain, and almost 20 years later Cartagena Puerto de Culturas is responsible for the administration and management of some of the most important tourist attractions in the whole of the Costa Cálida.

As of early 2020 the list of museums and visits under the umbrella of Puerto de Culturas is as follows:

The Roman Theatre Museum – arguably the jewel of the crown of city tourism in Cartagena, a tour of the most visited museum in the Region of Murcia ends in the 2,000-year-old arena itself.

The Muralla Púnica (Punic Wall) – remains of the wall built by the Carthaginians which failed to protect the city of Qart Hadasht from the general Scipio.

The Castillo de la Concepción – now home to a local history museum, this old fortress stands at the highest point of the city of Cartagena.

The Casa de la Fortuna – the 2,000-year-old home of a wealthy Roman trader or merchant.

The Augusteum – the remains of a Roman temple dedicated to the worship of the Emperor Augustus, who elevated himself to the rank of a deity.

The Roman Forum District – a new museum space on the Molinete hill which includes a thermal baths complex and temples to the deities Ibis and Serapis.

The Fuerte de Navidad (Christmas Fort) – a well-preserved fortress and gun emplacement at the mouth of the bay of Cartagena.(This can be accessed by road or via the tourist boat)

The Civil War Air Raid Shelter Museum – a reminder of a dark period in Cartagena’s history when it was heavily bombarded during the Spanish Civil War (1936-39).

In addition, Cartagena Puerto de Culturas operates three visiting options for tourists (and locals) in the city, all of which have proved immensely popular over the years:

The Panoramic Lift – this modern structure is the perfect way to look out over the historic city while travelling up to the Castillo de la Concepción, the highest point in Cartagena.

The Tourist Bus – a 45-minute trip taking in some of the highlights of Cartagena and whetting the appetite to see more!

The Tourist Boat – a highly popular way of seeing the city during a picturesque tour of the natural harbour of Cartagena, with an optional stop-off at the Castillo de la Concepción.

This is an impressive array of attractions in the city of Cartagena and along with the activities held at each of the sites provides something to do for visitors of all ages and interests. In addition, to make visiting easier, the consortium is fully committed to making all of the sites as accessible as possible, and a multi-visit voucher system allows visitors to enjoy substantial discounts on admission fees.

But the project in Cartagena is still far from complete, and looking to the future there are hopes that before too long the list will be lengthened by the addition of the Roman Amphitheatre, a remarkable structure which lies partly underneath the 19^th century bull ring, and possibly even the remains of the Roman port itself, which was only recently discovered in what is now the Calle Mayor.

In this sense, the key to the future of the tourism sector in Cartagena still lies in the past, while at present the attractions offered by Cartagena Puerto de Culturas offer an unmatched opportunity to enjoy the history, the sights, the landscape, the character and the unique identity of a city which has been shaped by the influences of a wide range of cultures and civilizations over the last 3,000 years!

 Go to  the webpage of Cartagena Puerto de Culturas: Click here

For full information in English about the Cartagena municipality CLICK HERE

For full information about places to visit in Cartagena city CLICK HERE