Cartagena Part 5

 Would you believe it, but were at the final post about Cartagena. The city that just keeps on giving!

Roman history wise, the last thing I visited was the Punic Wall museum. Its got a piece of Roman defensive wall, and a small museum to go along with it. While it's very interesting, what takes your attention is the remains of the crypt of the old church of San Jose, and although this is all thats left, it's fascinating. Putting aside the giant personification of death in the centre, there's some beautiful wall paintings representing the Danse Macabre, as well as the remains of the people who lived and died in Cartagena, some still interred in the walls of crypt. You'd be forgiven for feeling cold down there, but it is most fascinating!

And the very final thing I did in Cartagena? The civil war museum and Refugee tunnels. The Spanish civil war is often not well known about outside of Spain, the most you hear about it here in the UK is how it was Hitler's testing ground for the concept of Blitzkreig, and how the Basque children fled and came to England through Southampton. But that aside, it's actually a very fascinating time in Spanish history, and gives you an idea of how it has shaped Spain, up til the present day. It's also of that period in the thirties, where the speed of change is society was picking up pace, even though the dark cloud of World War two was on the horizon. If you love that time period, then this is the museum for you. There was loads to see, lots of survivor stories (mostly in Spanish, but there was printed guides in English). At only 5 euro's to enter, its really worth paying a visit to. Its a shame photos weren't allowed when I visited, but let me assure you, it's really well done.

Cartagena is also the first places I've ever seen a hot dog on a pizza. Just while you're eating it, just be mindful there's a bear in Cartagena who loves hot dog pizza. You've been warned!

Like I said at the beginning, Cartagena is a city of change. And I will be so excited to return in a few more years and see what else has been discovered, built and preserved. So Cartagena, what will you surprise me with next time?