Discovering Cartagena

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 Marvellous Mosaics 

In and around Cartagena there are several outstanding examples of ancient mosaics to be seen. 

Perhaps the finest are those that are housed in the little museum at the former coastal mining town of Portman, over the hills from the La Manga Club.  In Roman times this was an important mining centre and port with large amounts of lead and silver mined in the hills by slaves being exported. 

The museum is in the former little charity hospital that cared for miners and their families and which dates back to 1892.  In Roman times there was a large villa at Portman and mosaics and other items from the remains of this are on display. 

The mosaics are very beautiful and feature an impressive peacock in all its finery and the image of a lady who looks happily out on the world still from across the vast number of centuries.  These mosaics are of the “opus tessalatum” type and are described as “a magnificent example of sumptuary art.”  For details of the museum’s opening times contact the La Union tourism office on 968 541 614 or at ofitur-launion@telefonica net. 

Another interesting mosaic can be seen at what is known as the Byzantine Walls centre, close to the old Roman Theatre that is currently in the final stages of restoration in the centre of Cartagena.  Part of the entrance walls of this theatre were laid across the floor of an old Roman villa.  Today visitors can go underground and see the remains.  The mosaic floor of the old villa that was destroyed to make way for the theatre can still be seen.  At some stage a hole has been excavated in the mosaic, perhaps for drainage.  This is a patterned mosaic and the appearance of irregular pieces of coloured stone looks a little odd.  Maybe these are a later addition or repair?  Dolphins feature in the design. 

At the Casa Fortuna, another Roman house in the Plaza Risueño, visitors can see fine mosaics in the dining room.  The remains of this house are preserved underground and give a fascinating insight into the lives of members of a wealthy Roman family. 

A similar mosaic can be seen at the ruins of the old cathedral immediately above the Roman theatre. 

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