ES+ | No.3 | 2025/2026 Cartagena: the Mediterranean and millennia The history of Cartagena begins long before the dawnler who ventures along its streets. The city offers history of history. The site on which the city of Cartagena nowaround every corner, but it has also sought to revive its stands has always been a gateway to the Mediterraneaneconomic activity. As one ofthe most important cities in and it preserves traces of human activity dating back tothe south-east of the country and given its maritime na- the Palaeolithic era, while it was a particularly importantture, its port has become increasingly important for the during the Neolithic period. It was also the location ofimport and export of goods. Qart-Hadast, the Carthaginian city forever engraved in Its upturn has also been noticeable in its urban regen- world history as the point from which Hannibal set out toeration, with a new ensanche, or expansion. In the historic cross the Pyrenees and Alps with his elephants to challengecentre of Cartagena, the old neighbourhoods have been Rome. Later, it was also known as Carthago Nova to therevitalised, becoming attractive to residents and visitors Romans and Qartayannat al-Halfa to the Arabs. For eachalike. Efforts have been made to make the city more acces- of these civilisations, it was a key location, and to this day,sible and modern, without losing the historical essence at it retains its character as an ancient city. its heart. The city continues transforming itself to sustain Today, Cartagena represents culture for every travel-its vitality, just as it has done for millennia. 119