Cartagena, Spain Maritime History

The harbour city of Cartagena is located on the Mediterranean coast in southeast of Spain, in the Region of Murcia. The city is situated on a plain and is surrounded by coastal mountains which dominate the landscape. Cartagena’s large natural harbour has, over the centuries, provided the site for one of the most important naval bases for Spain. Today, the Spanish navy still maintains a large presence in Cartagena, which also includes the navy diving centre.

Cartagena was founded in approximately 227 BC by the Carthaginian general Hasdrubal as Qart Hadast, the Punic term for "new city". It was Hasdrubal who extended Carthaginian influence to the Iberian peninsula. The founding of empire Qart Hadast with an excellent harbour provided the ideal situation for this new important city. The Carthaginians mined silver which helped them finance the war against Rome.

In 209 BC, the city was taken by the Roman general Scipio Africanus Major and was renamed by its conqueror: Carthago Nova, Latin for "New Carthage". (which is somewhat humorous, as "Carthago" is a Latinization of "Qart Hadast," thus unknowingly the Romans named the city "New New City"). Under Roman rule the city prospered as is attested by the construction of large public buildings such as the large theatre.

During the Middle Ages (early 8th century AD), the city was dominated by a series of Arab rulers. Eventually, the city was retaken by Alfonso of Castille in the 13th century AD. In the early modern and modern periods the city and its harbour became the main Mediterranean base for the Spanish imperial navy. During the Spanish civil war, Cartagena was the only naval base which remained under control of the Republic. Furthermore, on the 31st March 1939, it was the last city to fall into the hands of General Franco’s forces. Today, the harbour and maritime services remain the driving forces behind Cartagena’s economy although the tourism industry is on the rise.