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[T380]The City Of Spain

by Gaizka Pujana, Gai

Barcelona's history, culture and traditions are steeped with Mediterranean influences and this is something that makes Barcelona a fascinating destination for tourists to Spain. It has a long and rich history dating all the way back to the second century when a Roman colony was founded in the area. Although today, Barcelona is a modern city at the forefront of economic and industrial development, it has prided itself in its ability to maintain its Gothic center, almost entirely intact. It has a fascinating maze of narrow streets that hint to its interesting history.

The city of Barcelona has been inhabited in the past by Carthaginians, Visigoths, Muslims and Catalans. The nucleus of the old city of Barcelona, known as Barri Gotic, is where you will find a cluster of medieval buildings. This is the area in which you will find the maze of narrow streets dark little alleys that connect a number of squares. The buildings in this area typically date to the 14th and 15th centuries and the architecture will attest to this. The Barri Gotic also contains the Cathedral Barcelona's, and in fact Spain's, most impressive Gothic structure. Here, you will also be able to see the preserved part of the fortress wall that surrounded and protected Barcelona. It has been retained and preserved for tourists to the city to see and it is worth a visit. The Ajuntament and the Palau de la Generalitat, Barcelona's two most noteworthy buildings, can be found in this old area. Barri Gotic is set out around a large square and in this square you will find a bustling market as well as weekly dances of the sardana.

Barcelona is home to many fascinating museums and art galleries. The Picasso Museum is Barcelona's most visited museum, however it contains many other museums that are rich with its heritage and very well set up. Many of them have hands-on activities and numerous exhibitions. They are an excellent way to get to know the background of the city which is important if you want to understand it modern set-up, as well.

There are many accommodation options in Barcelona it is just a matter of finding the right place for you. Prices range considerably depending where you choose to stay and there should be something to fit every tourist's budget. The cheapest accommodation can generally be found in the Barri Gotic section of the city. If you are interested in seeing this old area, then this may be ideal for you. You can choose to stay in an apartment or a hotel (with huge ranges in prices), an aparthotel (an apartment attached to a hotel with self-catering facilities) or a hostel.

Take a leisurely stroll around the city of Cartagena in south-eastern Spain and you can feel the history seeping from every wall. Cartagena was founded in ancient times (around 223BC) by the Carthaginians led by Hasdrubel and named Quart Hadas (?new city?). Hasdrubel died in 221BC and was succeeded by the famous Hannibal who used the city of Cartagena as his Iberian capital, attracted by its natural harbour surrounded by huge, rocky promontories. In 209BC the city was conquered by the Romans and given the name Carthago Nova (?new carthage?). It was re-conquered in later years by the Byzantines and by the Arabs who all left their mark on the city.

Amongst the places to visit from these ancient times are the Roman theatre from the 1st century BC, the Punic ramparts, the Litema (the ancient lighthouse) from the Arab presence and the Augusteum one of the best archaeological sites in the city, again Roman and from the 1st century BC ? thought to have been the meeting place for the priesthood of the cult of Emperor Augustus.

Due to its location and its deepwater port Cartagena has for centuries been a major commercial centre and was recognised as being one of the wealthiest cities of the ancient world. It still remains as Spain's major commercial port and naval base and is famous as the birthplace of the first submarine (1884) ? which is still proudly displayed on the quayside. Cartagena has also been a major mining area, the surrounding mountains being rich in metallic ores.

A popular way to view this city is from the top deck of an open topped bus. The half-hour trip will take you to some of the popular attractions, complete with an audio guide in several languages. However the best way to get around the city is by foot and as well as the ancient remains and historical buildings there is a busy and modern shopping centre boasting large department stores such as El Corte Ingles which is well worth a visit.

For holidaymakers staying in the popular resorts along the Costa Blanca and the Costa Calida it is a ?must visit? location. Situated very handily on the N332 and at the end of the AP-7 motorway from Alicante, it is just a short drive for many visitors to the area. A very cheap way to travel is to take the regular bus which runs along the N332 from Alicante, picking up at major towns such as Santa Pola, Guardamar, and Torrevieja.

Also very popular along the surrounding coast is scuba diving ? the crystal clear waters are ideal for this modern pursuit and a huge variety of fish can be seen including morays, stonefish and octopus. If you are lucky you may find the remnants of old wooden galleons, many of which foundered off the coast during centuries of wars and conflict.

Modern day Cartagena is undergoing major changes with a huge restoration program and the city is looking forward to renewed wealth and success.

So this is the ancient city of Cartagena on the Costa Calida, Spain, easing itself into the 21st century.

Article Source : Barcelona Travel

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Both Gaizka Pujana & Needahand are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Gaizka Pujana has sinced written about articles on various topics from Barcelona Holidays, Family Travel and Culture and Society. The Best Vacation Rentals.