Carthaginians and Romans in Cartagena

We invite you to get to know and enjoy the great Mediterranean festival called Carthaginians and Romans which is celebrated in Cartagena to commemorate the foundation of the city by Asdrubal and the beginning of the Second Punic War.

What is the festival of Carthaginians and Romans in Murcia about?

Carthaginians and Romans are popular festivities of a historical nature that have been held in the second half of September in Cartagena (Murcia) for more than 30 years.

They commemorate the historical events that took place between 2223 and 209 BC in Cartagena during the second Punic War, referring to the foundation of Qart-Hadasht (the new city) by the Carthaginian General Asdrubal and the subsequent capture of the city by the Roman General Publius Cornelius Scipio.

This festival connects the Carthaginians with their history and identity. They have been declared a Festival of International Tourist Interest in 2017.

The slogan of this unique festival is "And after the summer, Carthaginians and Romans".

How is the Festival of the Carthaginians and Romans celebrated?

During the days of celebration of this festivity in the second half of the month of September, the historical and heroic events that took place in the year 227 with the foundation of Qart Hadasht by Asdrubal Janto the Fair, ending in the year 209 BC with the battle and conquest of the city by the Roman regions commanded by General Publius Cornelius Scipio, are relived.

The Festival of Carthaginians and Romans begins with the proclamation, the lighting of the sacred fire and the proclamation of the festivities, which takes place on the first Friday of the festival. It is exciting to see the town crier dressed in period costume walking through the streets and squares of the centre of Cartagena, announcing the start of the festivities.

The sacred fire is carried through the emblematic historical sites of Cartagena: the Roman Theatre, the Temple of Isis, the Forum and the hill Mons Arx Asdrubalis. The sacred fire is brought from other places in the region of Murcia.

The lighting of the sacred fire is a magical moment in which the priestesses, priests and vestals perform ritual dances and prayers to invoke the Punic and Roman gods, asking for their light to protect the festival.

Various theatrical performances and re-enactments are staged to relive these historic moments:

• Foundation of Qart Hadasht and Children's Foundation (first Saturday of festivities).
• Dies Lustricus, Destruction of Sagunto and Plenary Session of the Senate of Rome (first Sunday of the festival).
• Wedding of Hannibal and Himilce (Monday of the festival).
• Oracle of the Goddess Tanit (Tuesday).
• Trials of Aspar Ludi Tomano, Feriae Latino and Centuriate Comitia (Wednesday).
• Disembarkation of the Carthaginian Armada, Recruitment of Mercenaries and Hannibal's March (Thursday of the festival).
• Landing of the Roman Armada, The Battle for the Conquest of Qart Hadasht, Victory Parade (second Friday of the festival).
• Tribute to the Fallen, Release of Hostages, Presentation of the Double Crown Mural and General Parade (second Saturday of the festival).
• Roman Circus and Extinguishing of the Sacred Fire (second Sunday of the festival).

Visitors and locals take part in a variety of fun activities organised by the Carthaginian and Roman sides, touring the city. It is quite a spectacle to see the disembarkation of the Carthaginian troops and the Roman legions in the port, and then parade to the festive camp set up in the city.

In this camp you can enjoy the craft market and enjoy the delicious options and variety of Carthaginian gastronomic specialities. You can also enjoy various free activities such as the Aspar Trials, which includes play activities for children.

Origins of the celebration of the festival

One of the fundamental antecedents that originated the Carthaginians and Romans Festival in Cartagena is the "Velada Marítima" of the Popular Festivities of Carmen and Santiago. It was a popular festival in honour of the Virgen del Carmen and Santiago whose main attraction was the maritime evening, with the parade of barges transformed into artistically decorated floats.

During the celebration of this festivity in 1972, a tragedy occurred in which 10 people died on board the "Río Tajo" float during the closing of the maritime parade. This unfortunate event suspended the popular festivities in the city of Cartagena.

Later, in 1989, a group of Cartageneros had the initiative to recover the joy of the celebration of festivities in Cartagena. In this sense, the Centre for Tourist Initiatives of Cartagena channelled this proposal made by the locals.

A survey was carried out among the citizens to establish the theme and the date for the celebration of the festivity. It was then chosen to stage the confrontation between the Carthaginians and the Romans during the Second Punic War.

In 1990 the first Carthaginians and Romans Festival was held in Cartagena, establishing the first festive camp in the Paseo Alfonso XII. It was attended by some 600 people, divided into seven legions and ten troops.

Curiosities of this popular festival

A curious and interesting fact about this popular festival is the existence of Carthaginian and Roman remains, such as urban sculptures, museums and fortifications that form part of the European Route of Modernism.

Recommendations for visitors

If you want to make the most of these festivities, here are some recommendations and practical tips:

• Wear comfortable clothes and shoes.
• Take the tourist bus, which includes a tour and transfer of visitors to the festive camp.

What else can you see or do in the town if you go to Cartagena, Murcia?

It is worth visiting these emblematic historical and natural sites in Cartagena, Murcia:

• Centro de Interpretación Muralla Punica: Includes an exhibition area and audiovisual room showing the creation of the city's history and the evolution of the Mediterranean peoples and Cartagena. It includes monumental remains of the burial crypt of the Hermitage of San José built in the 16th and 17th centuries.
• Parish of the Sacred Heart of Jesus: religious temple built in 1875.
• Casa Aguirre Muram: building constructed in 1898 that houses the Regional Museum of Modern Art.
• Plaza de La Merced or Plaza el Lago: this is the site of archaeological excavations where the Decumanus Maximus, the remains of a Punic house and a Roman nymphaeum have been found.
• Casa de La Fortuna: it shows the domestic life during the Roman period. It includes several rooms, bedrooms, representation room, banqueting hall, garden, service area, showcases with objects found during the excavations such as: vessels, personal objects and coins.
• Civil War shelters: a series of air-raid shelters built during the Civil War to protect the population of Cartagena.
• Torres Park: green space built at the beginning of the 20th century. It has an auditorium, a viewpoint, a restaurant and the archaeological remains of an ancient Arab lighthouse from the 9th century, known as the Linterna.
• Castillo de la Concepción (Concepción Castle): also known as Palacio de Los Patos. This medieval building was built in the 13th century by King Alfonso X El Sabio.

Gastronomy

We invite you to taste the delicious typical dishes of Cartagena (Murcia):

• Olla de Cerdo Murciana: a delicious spoon dish, made with beans, bacon, pork, turnip, onion black pudding, cardoon, rice and potatoes.
• Conejo al Ajo Albañil: fried rabbit with garlic.
• Pulpo a la Cartagenera: grilled octopus, seasoned with olive oil, Modena vinegar and lemon juice.
• Tapa Marinera de Cartagena: an elongated, crunchy doughnut, served with ensaladilla rusa and an anchovy in brine or boquerón en vinagre (anchovies in vinegar) on top.
• Exploradores Cartageneros: these are pasties filled with minced meat and coated in icing sugar.

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