Cartagena Things to Do

When you drive along the avenue, the attention is drawn towards this building which has a very special character and an amazing architecture ! It is the seat of the regional assembly of the Province of Murcia.

The ancient cathedral, Santa Maria la vieja (Saint Mary the older) was built in 1250 by Alfonso X. It was early entirely destroyed during the 1936-39 civil war. There only remain some parts of the walls and the columns.

Along the centuries, houses were built around, and later over the arena. It was only in 1987, when the decision was taken to destroy unhealthy blocks of houses, that the arena was discovered. This is why it is not in good condition.

Nets on the quay and fishermen boats moored in the northern harbor. Fishing plays an important part in the economy of Cartagena and the markets are always well supplied with the freshest fish and sea food.

A Bullfight or “Corrida de toros” is an interesting mix of ballet and sport, manly and risky, but very graceful. First is a parade of women in horse drawn carriages, followed by the band parade. Then the Matadors and Peones parade in. The first bull is let in and the Peones and Matadors begin to tire it. The first tercia begins with the Picador, a mounted lancer on horse back. He uses his lance to weaken the bull's neck and back by stabing it as it charges. Following the Picador, Banderilleros take their turn against the bull on foot using Banderillas, 2 foot long decorated sticks with barbs on one end, to stick into the bull's back as they bull charges by. The Suerte begins with the matador taking the Muleta, the smaller red cape, and his sword to continue to tire the bull. They dance for a few minutes until the matador senses it is time to end it. Blood streams down the bulls flanks from the lance and Banderilla wounds. The final moments of the bull are intimate with the matador. The matador often touches the bull as it charges by only inches away. The matador will end the dance with a deliberate thrust of his sword between the shoulder blades of the bull and into its heart. Once the bull is felled, a Peone will use a dagger to ensure the bull is dead. A Matador may be awarded nothing, a single ear, 2 ears, or both ears and the tail. After a successful kill, the Matador tours the ring as the spectators throw flowers, hats and wineskins into the ring as a token of acknowledgement. The entire “fight” should take 2O minutes or less. Normally 6 bulls will be “fought,” but on special occasions, 8 may be used. Each Matador will normally “fight” 2 bulls. The Matador is evaluated on his artistry and ability to “dance” with the animal. The Matadors are more actors than athletes, but the act of the bullfight is still very physical. It is bloody and the animal is killed, so it is not for the squeamish, but it is worth seeing a bullfight at least once. If you find it is something that interests you, then all the better.

if you go in september don't forget to visit the camp is where most of the activities of cartaginensis and romans develop you can eating dancing and enjoy the beautiful dresses they wear, and there you can dream you are in a city from 2000 years ago

don't miss the ruins of the cathedral destroyed in the spanish civil war, it's being said that apostol Santiago stablished it, and was reformed around xII, and finally was extended in 1902, 30 years before being destroyed by bombing in the spanish war.

two of the most outstanding events are LA SEMANA SANTA (easter) with one of the most beautiful processions in SPAIN the second one event is CARTAGINESES Y ROMANOS is a recreation of the past battles between people of cartago and romans many people dress in one or another costume and it is built a camp that is like the OLD CARTAGO-NOVA, It is in September
easter in cartagena is unique, you will see other easters but no one like this , the silence and uniformity in the parades don´t have equal and the beauty of the tronos is incredible, you don´t have to be religous, it´s only plastic beauty.