Columnata Romana (Roman Colonnade), Cartagena

The Roman Colonnade stands as a testament to the city's rich history, dating back to the Roman occupation from 209 BC to 425 AD. Cartagena boasts several Roman ruins, and many significant sites are still undergoing excavation, offering intriguing glimpses into the past. Occasionally, remnants of this era are discovered by chance, as was the case with the Roman Colonnade.

This remarkable archaeological site was unexpectedly unearthed in 1957 during routine sewer maintenance. The Colonnade features a row of eight stately columns, each with its base adorned with limestone slabs. These columns were originally part of a Roman road that ran adjacent to an ancient structure. The presence of this road suggests a well-organized urban layout in Roman Cartagena.

Pedestrians in ancient times would have passed beneath the arches formed by these columns, while road traffic would have traversed a sturdy driveway constructed from large streaked black limestone slabs. These road materials, like the rest of the Colonnade, were discovered during the excavations, providing a glimpse into the city's infrastructure during the Roman era.