Cartago Nova or Cartagena

One of the most beautiful theaters I visited in 2023 was the one in Cartagena. The first remains were discovered in 1988 during the construction of the Centro regional de artesanía (Centre Regional de Artesanía). The excavations and the final restoration were completed in 2003.



 
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Restoration of the scenic facade, scaenae frons of the theater of Cartagena





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The theater was dedicated to the two young princes Caius and Lucius Caesar, Augustus's grandsons and virtual heirs, who moreover must have participated in the financing of the building and also in the selection of its decoration. 



The remains of the theater extend to an area measuring over 5,000m2, and can be extended by adding another 2,000m2 to account for the three-lined portico located behind the stage. Currently, this area is occupied by a poor, although popular, 19th century neighborhood, which over the years has become one of the most deprived and run-down areas of the old town. The restoration of the archeological ruins has, as a result, reached the limits of a mere research project to become the driving force for regeneration across a wide part of the city.

More pictures of Cartagena can be found here!

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