Carthaginians and Romans Fiesta

Carthaginians and Romans Fiesta

10 days in late September

Cartegena, located on the Mediterranean Sea in southeastern Spain, is an ancient city steeped in the history of the Carthaginian and Roman Empires. Founded as the central Carthaginian hub in 227 b.c.e., the city was conquered two decades later by the Romans. Today, for 10 days in late September, thousands of local people celebrate the Carthaginians and Romans Fiesta by dressing in period costume and reenacting this pivotal era in history. The festival has been an annual event since 1989.
The festivities open with a ceremonial lighting of a sacred fire, which is followed by the official presentation of the Carthaginian troops and the Roman Legions. During the festival the soldiers stay in Carthaginian and Roman camps, each constructed in a historically accurate style.
Over the next several days, festival attendees witness a series of reenactments, including a Roman circus; the wedding of Carthaginian commander Hannibal and his wife Himilce; the sea battle that preceded the Roman conquest of the city; and the victorious march by the Roman Legions through the streets of Cartegena. On the festival's final day, both sides make one more procession through the city.

CONTACTS:
Tourist Office of Spain
666 Fifth Ave.
35th Fl.
New York, NY 10103
Spanish Tourism Institute (Turespaña)
6 Jose Lázaro Galdiano
Madrid, Spain
www.tourspain.es
(c)