The Punic Wall
About This Museum
Tucked away on a modern street in Cartagena, this museum protects one of the city's most ancient secrets: a surviving stretch of the defensive wall built by the Carthaginians around 300 BCE. It’s a humbling thought that these massive stone blocks were laid by the civilization of Hannibal himself, long before the Romans left their more famous mark here. The experience begins in a sleek, modern visitor center that uses clever lighting and multimedia displays to set the scene. Then you descend to walk alongside the raw, excavated ruins, feeling the sheer scale of history right beneath your feet.
Collection Highlights
The undeniable star is the Wall itself—a formidable line of rust-colored sandstone blocks, some still bearing their original quarry marks. Interactive screens nearby reconstruct how this fortification would have looked, complete with watchtowers and gates. Don't miss the small but fascinating collection of everyday artifacts recovered from the site, including Carthaginian coins and pottery fragments that paint a picture of life in ancient Qart-Hadasht.
Visitor Information
You'll find it on Calle San Diego in the heart of Cartagena; it's surprisingly easy to miss from the outside, so keep an eye out for the discreet signage. The museum is quite compact, so you can have a deeply satisfying visit in under an hour.
Architecture & Building
A contemporary glass-and-concrete box that cleverly conceals its ancient treasure within, creating a stark and dramatic contrast between the new building and the raw, excavated archaeological site it was designed to protect.
Contact & Location
Address: Calle San Diego, Casco Antiguo, Cartagena Casco, Cartagena, Campo de Cartagena y Mar Menor, Región de Murcia, 30202, España
Phone: +34 968 50 00 93
Website: Visit Website
