Highlights

The Watchtowers
During the 16th and 17th century, watchtowers were built along the Cartagena area as safeguards against Berber pirates. Some of them were located on the coast as fishermen’s shelter and others inland as countrymen’s shelter serving, at the same time, as receivers of danger signals from the coast.

Nowadays the remaining towers are those called Santa Elena (La Azohía), Negro (El Algar), Moro (Cuesta Blanca) and Rubia (Molinos Marfagones). There were other towers which are not still up like: Towers of La Encanizada, Blanca, Estacio, Portman, Cabo de Palos, Nicolás Pérez and Navidad. Some of them were replaced by modern facilities like the Navidad tower which was turned into a lighthouse and a fort, and the Cabo de Palos tower was replaced by a lighthouse.

Ruta de los Molinos (Route of the Mills)
In the municipality of Cartagena, there are some dozen mills. The façade of some of them has been remodelled and their beauty can be observed as typical features of the Cartagena countryside; others have also been restored inside and they can be visited and discover how they work.

Castle of La Concepción
This Castle is located on the Cerro de la Concepción, one of the five hills guarding the city. It is known by Cartagena residents as “Castillo de los Patos” (Castle of the Ducks). The Castle of La Concepción complex is constituted by some features which blend knowledge and amusement, by means of the highest technology so, the city can be discovered in a amusing way. Furthermore, accesses are adapted for disabled so they can also reach the castle flat roof.

Punic Wall
This wall was erected to guard the city. It is located in the south of one of the five hills surrounding Cartagena, the San José Mount, called Aletes in ancient times. The wall was constructed after Hellenic fortification structures, used along the central Mediterranean. It is constituted by two parallel walls built with big sandstone blocks that, in some zones, can reach more than 3 metres high.

Augusteum
This building is sited in the historical city centre. It is an essential construction to get to know the city way of life during the 1st and 2nd centuries. Priest used to gather there to worship the Emperor, it was a building used to spread the imperial doctrine during the Augustus period.

Casa de la Fortuna
It is located on the Plaza Risueño and shelters the remains of a Roman house, offering a view of the domestic life during the Roman period through the different rooms and ornamentation of the house. It was owned by a wealthy family of that period, occupies a surface area of 204 meters and used to be the residence of upper class citizens.

The Spanish Civil War Museum / Air-raid shelter
Some air-raid shelters were dug in Calle Gisbert, inside one of the Cerro de la Concepción hillsides. In order to find protection against bombings during the Spanish civil war some air-raid shelters were constructed.

The Panoramic Lift
From this lift a spectacular view of Cartagena can be enjoyed at a height of 45 metres to watch the main city monuments and buildings. Also an outstanding view of the Mediterranean can be observed from the lift.

The Santa Lucía Cemetery
This cemetery is located in the district of Santa Lucía and displays the city evolution through its tombs and pantheons: its economy, culture, politics, people and architectural value, since it was built until today.

It is especially remarkable the trace left by the families who owned the mines, who as well as they erected buildings of great artistic importance, they also constructed wonderful pantheons. Illustrious personages rest in this cemetery: Isaac Peral, the poet José Martínez Monroy or the bullfighter Gavira.