How to visit Roman Theater of Cartagena (Murcia): schedules, ticket prices

Can you imagine that in the center of a historic center the houses are demolished, and little by little an impressive Roman era theater, which had capacity for up to 6.000 spectators?

That is what has happened in Cartagena, historic city of Murcia region.

It happened not long ago, in 1988, when an urban remodeling process was carried out in a rather degraded neighborhood that extended at the foot of the castle hill.

How the Roman Theater of Cartagena was discovered

This neighborhood is in the old town of what was known as Carthage Nova after being conquered by the Carthaginians.

When houses began to be demolished, no one knew of the existence of the Roman Theatre,

On the other hand, if there was knowledge of the presence of archaeological remains of a Roman amphitheater under the old bullring.

Museum of the Roman Theater of Cartagena

After the long process of archaeological recovery that was activated in 1996, the Roman Theater of Cartagena It opened to public visits in 2008, integrated into a museum complex developed by the architect Rafael Moneo.

Now the one known as Roman Theater museum has become one of the key monuments of the tourist brand Cartagena, Port of Cultures, which has led to the recovery and management of the cultural and artistic heritage of the coastal city with a long industrial past.

In fact, if you consider a visit of Cartagena, like the one I made not long ago, see the Roman theater and its museum must be one of the priority objectives.

What to see when visiting the Roman Theater of Cartagena

One of the characteristics that will catch your attention is that, at first, you don't see the theater.

I can tell you that this is largely due to the fact that the monument is integrated into the old town, surrounded by houses and embedded in the slope of the castle hill.

Of course, the entrance of the Roman Theater Museum of Cartagena You have it in a very central location, in the pedestrian plaza that opens behind the port gardens and in front of the imposing building of the Town Hall.

In reality, it is in the remodeled building of the Pascual Palace of Riquelme where the ticket offices and the first rooms are located.

And, indeed, seeing and walking through the remains of the Roman theater will be the last stage of the visit.

Guided tours of the Roman Theater of Cartagena

I advise you to sign up for one of the guided tours (included in the entrance price) that take place every hour.

With a duration of about 45 minutes, this visit will allow you to immerse yourself in the recovery process of the Roman theater, which is really curious and therefore takes on great prominence in the visit.

At the beginning of the visit, through objects from different periods recovered in the excavations and videos with virtual images, you will learn how the Roman theater little by little disappeared in the Byzantine, Muslim and Christian eras.

In this period, little by little a town was built on the remains of the theater, as well as a later fishing neighborhood since the 16th century.

Church of Santa María La Vieja in Cartagena

Even overlapping part of its stands, in medieval times the church of Santa María la Vieja, with different subsequent construction stages.

Destroyed by bombing Civil War, the ruined remains of its walls still remain.

El tour of the museum area It takes you through a passage under a street, from the aforementioned palace to the so-called Moneo building, with modern architecture and minimalist decoration.

Here you will go through a room where you will understand the architectural keys of the theater, and another where you will learn about the recreational, political and religious functions that this building had in Roman times.

In addition, you will see some archaeological pieces, such as the altars of the Capitoline Triad.

By means of escalators, within the Moneo building you will go up to the entrance of the so-called Moneo Broker, which with a brick construction allows you to make the visual transition from the modern building to the historic roman theater.

You will pass through the basements of the aforementioned church of Santa María la Vieja, where you will even see the archaeological remains of an ancient Roman house with its mosaics on the floor.

Finally, after crossing the aforementioned basements, you arrive before the Roman theater dating back to the 1st century, which will surely surprise you with its dimensions.

You will already know that the building follows the architectural model that Marcus Vitruvius established for theaters.

On the one hand, the cellar or stand, which includes aisles and the orchestra, the covered semicircular space intended for the authorities.

In front, the stage or stage front, which was almost 15 meters high (now you will see a small reconstruction), which included marble columns from Carrara, and behind, the portico, or post scenario.

On your walk through the stands and the stage you will be able to get an idea of ​​how this theater was covered for centuries by the houses of a colorful neighborhood, including a church.

Schedule to visit Roman Theater Cartagena

The Visiting hours of the Roman Theater of Cartagena They are, in high season (Holy Week and from May 1 to September 30), from Monday to Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 20 p.m., and on Sundays, from 10 a.m. to 14 p.m.

In low season (from October 1 to April 30), from Tuesday to Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 18 p.m., and on Sundays, from 10 a.m. to 14 p.m.

Roman Theater of Cartagena ticket prices

The ticket prices to visit the Roman theater It is 6 euros, and 5 euros the reduced price for online purchases, children under 12 years old, students, Youth Card, unemployed, etc...

Of course, if you are going to make other visits in Cartagena, you may be interested in purchasing the pass for 4, 5 or 6 visits, which is offered at the ticket office and will surely be worth it.