The Roman catacombs of Cartagena |
Remnants of the ancient walled city of Cartagena |
In spite of this, we were in the company of Trini, a Spanish guide as knowledgeable as she was enthusiastic. When some of our party decided to call it a day she encouraged the rest of us to accompany her to the highest of the five hilltops that had once anchored Cartagena’s city walls.
Aromas of coffee, chocolate and paella |
And delicious hams |
We watched the waiters who positively floated throughout the restaurant serving coffee, drinks, desserts and home made paella from a massive copper pan positioned next to enormous legs of ham secured to the marble counter tops.
From the hilltop we took in the city panorama - the highlight - a Roman amphitheatre, only discovered in the 1980s. The eclectic architecture from various ages was truly amazing - the impact of the Arabs, Carthaginians and Romans along with the mining entrepreneurs of the 19th and 20th centuries blending together to create a rich cultural heritage.
Newly discovered Roman amphitheatre - the soggy climb well worth the effort |