Habsburg and Bourbon Spain

Cartagena

Today: Spain

Years: 1492–1833
Role: Naval base and Arsenal port

In 1503 Queen Isabella ordered Cartagena returned to the Crown, ending the Fajardo lordship. It was a base for Spain's galleys under Carlos I and was fortified under Felipe II. Under the Bourbons it became capital of the Mediterranean Maritime Department, and the Arsenal, the walls of Carlos III and the castles of Galeras, Atalaya, Moros and San Julián were built; its population grew fivefold over the century.

What to see today

Arsenal de Cartagena (Arsenal): Arsenal, 1732 to 1782
Castillo de los Moros: Fort, 1773 to 1778
Castillo de Galeras: Fort, c. 1751 to 1777
Castillo de la Atalaya: Fort, 1766 to 1777
Monasterio de San Ginés de la Jara (San Ginés de la Jara): Monastery, 16th to 17th century
Castillo de San Julián: Fort, c. 1701 to 1883

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