37:35.789N 00:59.096W Cartagena

Ariel of Hamble
Jim and Valerie SHURVELL
Sun 6 Sep 2009 11:26

 

37:35.789N  00:59.096W  Cartagena

 

3.9.09     50 miles sailed

 

A mixed day first no wind, then a little wind to help us motor sail and then after about 12 miles a fair breeze set in and a fast close reach began to develop.  The miles began to crack along but gradually as the day developed the wind began to go behind us.  In the end it was up with the spinnaker pole and the ever familiar goose winged formation.  Easy sailing but it became slower and slower but we made it to Cartagena by about 5.30pm.  Manuel greeted us and helped us moor stern to.  I must remember to change and take off my white polo shirt as I always manage to get mud off of their mooring lines onto my shirt!!!!

 

Cartagena marina is very nicely located and has it own Club de Mar and we have been told we can use there swimming pool.

 

The city during the Civil War was the last to surrender to the troops of General Franco.  During the 1950’s Cartagena experienced the beginning of new prosperity through the establishment of numerous industrial companies which lasted to the 1990’s. Since recovering from this downturn Cartagena has looked to its past for its main attractions.  There is a lot of Roman remains which have been excavated.  One of these is the Roman anti theatre which was discovered under the Bizantine Rampart. 

 

The castle on the hill is still being excavated and is open to visitors at certain times but the gardens around the castle are very nice.  You can see for miles looking in all directions.  There is a large population of peacocks roaming around the grounds loose.

 

The city has built a brand new pier for cruise liners to call here.  There is enormous road maintenance going on and many of the local attractions have had their buildings outside cleaned.  Beautiful shops and shopping precincts have been developed together with restaurants with outdoor tables and chairs.

 

Cartagena is a large navy port and so far we have seen three submarines in port. 

We were lucky to see one go out to sea and return the following day.  They do look quite odd at sea seeing this black square moving along the surface.

There is the Midshipmen’s Barracks and Arsenal Gate to the south of the marina and just at the entrance to the marina the first submarine invented by Cartagena-born Isaac Peral from a design conceived in 1884. The submarine was built in Cadiz and launched in 1888.  See the photograph.

 

There are a number of museums to visit in Cartagena.  One is the civil war shelter museum excavated into the mountains which was built to house 5,500 people if needed.  A very nice place to rest for a couple of days.


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