Historical sites and museums, Fuerte de Navidad, Cartagena Spain

Since antiquity, Cartagena has been a safe haven for sailors, presenting a protected , natural harbour with a series of naturally occurring strategical rocky outcrops, facilitating effective protection and defense.

This strategical defense advantage made it a much coveted settlement for thousands of years, with the area colonized by a series of races, Phoenicians, Romans, Muslims, Visigoths, Byzantines, all of whom traded from the port and exploited the rich minerals mined from the nearby hills as well as a vast array of other goods.

 

 

Throughout the years a series of fortifications protected Cartagena, but the widespread use  of gunpowder in the 16^th century changed the face of defensive tactics and from the mid 1600s the necessity to build a different kind of defensive system, and the decision to station the Spanish fleet patrolling the straits here permanently,  stimulated the creation of artillery batteries, The Fort of Navidad being one of them.

 

The necessity to fortify Cartagena effectively increased following the construction of an arsenal and in 1740 a full scale defensive system was constructed using casemates, a system of positioning artillery pieces in chambers which protected them from fire. The fort has excellent examples of this style of fortification, together with  detailed information about their construction and the firing of a cannon, all in English.

 

During the 19^th century technological advances warranted the total re-modelling of the Cartagena defence system and as a result of the 1860 defence plan, a series of batteries were constructed not only at the entrance to the city, but along the surrounding coastline, complicated crossfire patterns and positioning of fortifications ensuring the coastline was fully protected.

 

Many of the batteries along the coast date from this period.

 

However, within just a few years of their construction, the defenses were obsolete and many of the batteries were re-modelled yet again, although Navidad remained as it was, the more modern artillery being located in other batteries.

The fort was last used in 1941 and then suffered the same fate as many of the other military installations in the area, being left empty and in a state of decline.

 

Its resurrection as a tourist attraction has been a complicated process, as it is still technically owned by the military, its refurbishment being undertaken in conjunction with the Cartagena council and the region of Murcia, and it provides an interesting and enjoyable alternative to any tourist itinery.

 

Accessed via either car or the tourist boat, it is an interesting location for all ages, and is of particular interest for those with any interest in military history. The excellent visuals are in English and Spanish, and there are models to entertain the youngsters as well as a coffee shop and fantastic views across the bay of Cartagena to delight even those with no interest in the military history.

 

 

There's a real sense of the men who lived here, their kitchen area with interesting display boards that talk about the diet of 19^th century soldiers, revealing the paucity of diet that made a trip back to their home villages a much anticipated event due to the possibility that they may bring back something as luxurious as a bit of dried sausage to supplement a wearisome diet of staple basics.

 

 

There's also the element of fun, the soldier cut-outs on the battlements offering one of the best photo opportunities in Cartagena, and the newly remodeled lighthouse and dock areas are an enjoyable place to stroll and photograph.

 

  

Practicalities of the Fuerte de Navidad, Cartagena Spain - Disability Access?

Access to the fort is via a long, winding ramp which inevitably leads up, which means it could be quite hard work for someone in a wheelchair or with limited mobility.

Once inside the fort, there are visuals on the ground level and a lift to the top floor with its panoramic views.

The nature of this fort means there are uneven surfaces, so we would not recommend this to those with limited mobility.

 

Opening hours

Winter Tuesday - Friday, 10.30am-3pm

Saturdays and Sundays 10.30am -5.30pm

 

Summer hours, Monday -Sunday 10.30-2pm and 3.30-8pm

 

Admission Charges.

Arrival by car, Adult 3.50, Children, pensioners, 2.50 euros

Arrival by tourist boat, including return boat trip, Adults 8 euros, children and pensioners 6 euros.

 

The Fuerte de Navidad is part of the Puerto de Culturas attractions and is included in the abono discount voucher scheme.

How to get there.

 

By boat.

The tourist boat leaves from the main Cartagena seafront on the half hour.

Monday to Sunday, 10.30, 11.30, 12.30, 1.30 and 3.30, 4.30, 5.30, 6.30 and 7.30

Return trips including admission Adults 8 euros, children and pensioners 6 euros.

Boat trips only, Adults 5.50, reductions, 4.50 euros.

 

By Car.

This can be as much fun as you want to make it.

See the article, "Fuerte de Navidad, by Car" which gives details of some of the interesting things you can see en-route if you're the adventurous, exploring kind. Click here 

To get straight there without any adventures, CLICK HERE.

 (Its not as complicated as it looks on the map. The road runs right down the side of the Rambla. Just follow it down and ignore the signs telling you you're in a military zone. Follow it straight down, and you will cross a bridge, and approach the Navantia shipyard. It feels as though you're actually driving into the shipyard, but the road bears around to the left and carries on around the back of the shipyard along the edge of the port. About 2km past Navantia you will arrive at the Fort.

Take your time driving along the road and look down into the Navantia shipyard- you can see the submarines under construction and the yachts of the super-rich in for repair.

 Would we recommend it?  Absolutely.

 

Cartagena - Military Trail

The Military trail, Cartagena.

There are many places around Cartagena which link to form the Cartagena Military trail and we'll be adding to this list on an ongoing basis over the next few months, so have a look at these other places . Some are paid, some are free, but it's great fun to find them all and discover Cartagenas' military history. 

Castillo de la Concepcion- Mediaeval construction, with cannons and excellent views, Castillo de Concepcion.

Fuerte de Navidad, Cartagena, part of the O'Donnell Fortifications, via Navantia shipyards, Fuerte de Navidad

Museo Militar - Home of the military museum, containing many important items of local military interest. Museo Militar

Cabo de Tinosa batteries, between Mazarron and Cartagena, Bateria de Castillitos and El Jorel

Civil war Shelter , Cartagena Refugio de la Guerra Civil

 

Tourist info for Cartagena Spain in English, Fuerte de Navidad

Use the search functions on the left hand side of the page to find other interesting things to do in Cartagena.For concerts, exhibitions, art, music and fiestas, click here for what's on. Each week we post information about events taking place across the whole of the region of Murcia, as well as producing this static information about places you can visit.

We are happy to supply text and images about the region for magazine or newspaper publications, in return for links and accreditation. Other sites are also welcome to link to us for this information to be available to their clients. Please use the contact us box if you would like to join the ever-expanding network of people working together to promote this region

 

 

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