Following the Military Trail , Cartagena, 20th century

Locations with a Military History in Cartagena

The Batteries of Castillitos and El Jorel at Cabo Tinoso

44 elements covered every angle of attack and batteries were constructed in a ring which encircled Cartagena and out along the coast as part of the Plan de Defensa of 1926.

The location at Cabo Tinoso was chosen because of its strategic location, 218 metres above the sea on a rocky cliff top with easily defendable access, and Vickers guns, made in the UK, which were  the best in the world for anti-shipping defence at this time, were situated at this point, giving a 35km firing range.

There are 2 different batteries at Cabo Tinoso, La bateria del Jorel, which houses three 1923 model Vickers 152.4mm, 45 calibre anti-shipping guns, and the Bateria de Castillitos which has the enormous Vickers 381mm guns still in place, measuring 17 metres in length, which could fire a projectile weighing a ton over a distance of 35 km

 Part of the excitement in visiting the batteries is that these enormous guns are still in situ, bar one of the Vickers 152.4mm guns which was dismantled and removed to Almeria during the 1936-1939 Spanish Civil war

Click here Castillitos

The Military Museum, Cartagena City

This museum contains a lot of the weaponry which was used throughout Cartagenas history of defence and a large amount of military memorabilia which was in use at the time of the Plan de Defensa 1926 installations.

It is a fascinating place for anyone with an interest in military history to visit.

Click for Military Museum

The Civil War Refuge and Museum

Its hard to believe how heavily Cartagena was punished for its loyalties during the Civil War and how much of it was destroyed in the heavy bombings which attacked the arsenal and fleet. This little museum is a fascinating journey into this time, made more poignant by the narratives which describe the experiences of people who lived through this local history. Bombs are still dug up in the streets, and discovered by divers exploring the coastline, and haunting shells of once magnificent buildings are still to be seen in the old streets today.

Click here to read full report about the Civil War Museum, Cartagena

The Fuerte de Navidad

This military fort guards the entrance to the natural harbourof Cartagena. It can be accessed by car, being about a 5 kilometre drive from the centre of Cartagena, or from the Muelle Alfonso XII, the main waterfront of Cartagena, via the Barco turístico, the tourist boat.

Click for Fuerte de Navidad

The Batteries of Cenizas and Negrete

Located on the edge of Portman bay, just behind the La Manga Club, these 2 batteries were part of the 1926 Plan de Defensa and held the second pair of Vickers 381mm guns, massively powrful weapons which could fire a one ton  projectile for nearly 35km. The 2 guns are still in place, set amidst the natural beauty of the Cenizas natural park. They are accessed only on foot via the military road which was built to haul the guns up their hilltop location, a 40 minute walk. The negrete anti aircraft battery is just a short distance from the main Vickers emplacement and there are fantastic views, as well as the enjoyable spectacle of the guns in situ

Click here to read the full report about the Batteries of Cenizas and Negrete

The Battery of La Chapa.

Nestled close to the lighthouse of Portman Bay, this is an easily accessible battery next to the beach and carpark of El Lastre in Portman Bay.

The battery housed short range 1923 model Vickers 152.4mm, 45 calibre anti-shipping guns, which complemented the 381mm guns above at Cenizas, and formed a mirror image of the protection on the opposite side of Cartagena over at Castillitos and El Jorel. The battery is currently being cleaned up and repaired and is just a short walk from the carpark below.

Click here for the full report about the La Chapa Battery

Plaza Bastarreche and the Law of Historical Memory

Legislation passed in 2007 dictates that all places bearing names or imagery associated with the Civil War and the Franco Dictatorship must remove them from public view. Cartagena has over 150 streets, plazas and locations which will change their names at some point. To read more about this, Click here