Cartagena Fiesta Romans & Carthaginians

Cartagena is a fascinating city to visit at any time of the year, but it is particularly interesting during the Romanos y Carthagineses Fiesta. This re-enactment of the battles between the Romans and the Carthaginians is well worth seeing, as it has been declared as being of National Tourist Interest. It takes place annually, this year it will be held between the 16th and 25th September 2016.

A little bit of history so it makes it easier to understand the re-enacted battles and events. From about 600BC the area was inhabited by the Carthagnians. Originally from modern day Lebanon, they fled their homeland after it was invaded, and settled in the area to become seafaring traders around the Mediterranean. The head of the main family was the Hamilcar Barca and he renamed the settlement Kart-Hardath which over time evolved into Quart-Hadast and then Cartagena. By 300BC the Romans had become very powerful and wanted to take control of these trading routes so embarked on the 1st Punic War. They didn't succeed and agreed to a truce. Peace reigned for a further 80 years, until 219BC. It was broken when the Carthagnians, lead by Hadrubal the son in law of Hamilcar Barca, decided to attack one of the Roman settlements. The Roman waited. Then Hannibal, after getting married to Himilce, departed in 217BC on his famous journey over the Alps with his 37 elephants, 100,000 infantry and 12,000 horsemen to attack Rome and claim it for the Carthagnian. The Romans took their chance, invaded and conquered a relatively undefended Cartagena during the 2nd Punic War.

Each day during the fiesta various parts of this story are re-enacted, so you'll need to visit everyday to get the whole story or return every year on a different day!! The acts for the fiesta take place in two main locations; one at the port and the other at the football ground. The 'Festival Camp' is located in the football stadium and is a great place to visit as there is lots going on. It is the site for some of the re-enactments and the headquarters for each association, the location of the artesian and craft market and the place to enjoy locally produced traditional food and drink! The port is the site for many of the battles, including the big one when the Romans arrive by boat and take control of the city.

The programme for the 2016 Cartagineses y Romanos in English is:

Friday 16th September
18:45 Arrival of the Sacred Fire at the Port.

20:30 Lighting the Sacred Fires at the Archaeological Park el Molinete.
21:30 Opening Speeches in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento.
22:30 March towards the Festival Camp. Route: Plaza del Ayuntamiento, Mayor, Puerta de Murcia, del Carmen, Plaza de Espana, Alameda de San Anton, Puente Carthago Nova finishing at the Festival Camp.
23:00 Inauguration of the Festival Camp.

Saturday 17th September

20:00 1st Act of the Founding of Qart-Hadast at the Port.

21:15 2nd Act of the Founding of Qart-Hadast in the Plaza de Juan XXIII

22:15 3rd Act of the Founding of Qart-Hadast in the Parque de Los Juncos.

Sunday 18th September
18:30 The Roman Senate in Session on the stage at the Port.

20:00 Destruction of Sagunto on the stage at the Port.

21:00 The century Assembly on the stage at the Port.

Monday 19th September
21:00 Wedding of Hannibal and Himilce on the stage at the Port.
22:30 Wedding Celebrations at the Festival Camp.

23:30 Carthaginian Weddings at the Festival Camp.

Tuesday 20th September
21:00 Oracle of the Goddess Tanit on the stage at the Port.

Wednesday 21st September
17:00 Opening of the Artisian Market at the Parque Vallejo Alberola

18:00 Grand Children's Parade in the Plaza de Espana

21:30 Roman Comedy on the stage at the Festival Camp

22:00 Great Latino Fair and Gastronomic Tasting at the Festival Camp.

Thursday 22nd September
20:00 Landing of the Cartaginian Navy and the hiring of mercenaries on the stage at the Port.

21:30 Hannibal Marchs to Rome. Route: Plaza del Ayuntamiento, Mayor, Puerta de Murcia, del Carmen, Plaza de Espana, Alameda de San Anton, Puente Carthago Nova finishing at the Festival Camp.
00:00 The Plans of the Gods (women of town ask the Gods to aid their men in the battle) at the Festival Camp.

Friday 23rd September
10:45 Maritime Battle in the Port.

12:00 Landing of the Roman Army at the Port.

12:05 Parade of the Roman Army and Legions
18:00 Great Battle to conquer Qart-Hadast at the Cuesta del Batel.

20:15 Great Military Victory Parade after the surrender of the city. Route: Plaza del Ayuntamiento to the Festival Camp.

Saturday 24th September
13:30 Tribute to the Romans fallen in the battle at the Monumento Funerario Torreciega.
19:00 Great Parade of the Troops and Legions. Route: Plaza del Ayuntamiento, Mayor, Puerta de Murcia, del Carmen, Plaza de Espana, Alameda de San Anton, Soldado Rosique, Puente Carthago Nova finishing at the Festival Camp.

Sunday 25th September
18:00 Roman Circus at the Festival Camp.

20:45 Roman Victory at the Festival Camp

21:15 Extinguishing of the sacred fire and Grand Firework display at the Festival Camp