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New €2 million project will take Cartagena's Roman amphitheatre to the next stage
The next stage will continue archaeological work inside the ancient arena, strengthen parts of the old bullring and create new areas for visitors
Work at Cartagena's Roman amphitheatre is moving towards its next stage, with the current excavation campaign due to finish in November and a new €2 million project now being put out to tender.
The latest phase has already revealed more of the ancient monument, including up to four vomitoria, the passageways that once allowed spectators to reach their seats. Archaeologists have also made further progress inside the arena, uncovering part of the fossa bestiaria, the underground area where wild animals were kept before being brought into the arena.
The team first began investigating the fossa during the previous phase of excavations, when a staircase leading down into it was discovered. What has been uncovered so far suggests the underground structure may have a cross-shaped layout following the main axes of the amphitheatre. Further digging should help confirm whether that theory is correct.
Although the excavation work will finish in November, the current phase won't be completely wrapped up until January. The archaeological team will spend the following weeks documenting the finds, cataloguing the recovered materials and preparing the report on the work.
In the meantime, the Ayuntamiento is preparing for the next chapter. Phase V forms part of the site's eight-stage master plan and will continue the archaeological investigation while also dealing with the remains of the 19th-century bullring built over the Roman monument.
The new project has a budget of €2 million, with funding coming from Spain's 2% Cultural programme and the Ayuntamiento. It will allow archaeologists to remove more of the material still covering the arena, revealing more about its shape, podium, surviving seating and the fossa.
Some of the work will also concentrate on the old bullring, particularly its northeastern section. Around €787,503 has been allocated to strengthen walls and foundations, with micropiles used in some areas so that new supporting structures don't take up space within the Roman remains.
The next phase includes new wooden flooring, lighting, protective barriers and signs, as well as improvements to the upper levels of the old bullring, which will improve the visitor experience.
The existing viewing balcony will also be extended, creating new viewpoints over the Roman amphitheatre, the Cerro de la Concepción and Calle Gisbert. The planned lighting could eventually allow for evening visits and educational activities.
Meanwhile, the new temporary visitor reception building on Calle Doctor Fleming is expected to be finished by mid-November after supply problems delayed the project by two months. It will help make visits to the site more regular as the archaeological work continues.
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Image: Ayuntamiento de Cartagena
Address
Punic Wall Interpretation Centre, Calle de San Diego, s/n 30202 CARTAGENATel: 968 128 955
Oficina de turismo de Cartagena
Cartagena tourism information
Where to find basic tourism information and information about historical sites and places to visit in Cartagena, Spain.
Cartagena has a wealth of historical sites, including the Roman Theatre Museum, Archaeological Museum, ARQUA Subaquatic Archaeology Museum, Panoramic lift, Civil War Air raid Shelter and Military and Naval Museums, as well as Tourist Bus and Tourist Boat which ferries visitors across to the Fuerte de Navidad.
There is one main Tourist Information Office and 2 tourist information points, the main one being in the Muralla Púnica Interpretation centre in Calle de san Diego and the other next to the Civil War Air Raid Shelter and Panoramic lift.
The office in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento is the easiest place to pick up a map if you've come into the port from a cruise ship, and has a few basic 
leaflets, but not a lot else.
The information point for the Puerto de Culturas attractions is by the Panoramic lift and Civil War Air Raid shelter in Calle Gisbert, although maps and leaflets are available at any of 3 information points.
There is plenty of in depth information about Cartagena in the dedicated Cartagena section, accessed via the map box at the bottom of every article page or by using the town search box at the top of the page. the introduction gives basic information about the city and then readers can select from the subjects below for information about the city, or the rest of the municipality.
Tourist Offices:
Oficina Municipal de Turismo Puertas de San José
Plaza Almirante Bastarreche s/n
Opening hours: weekdays 10.00 to 14.00 and 16.00 to 18.00, Saturdays 10.00 to 13.00.
Oficina Municipal de Turismo Muralla Púnica
Calle de San Diego, 25
30202, Cartagena
Telephone 968 52 14 27
Click for map, Tourist information office Muralla Púnica.
Opening hours.
31st July to 15th September, Monday to Sunday, 10am to 8pm
31st March to 30th June, Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 7pm.
16th September to 4th November, Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 7pm.
5th November to 30th March, Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 5.30pm.
Punto de Informacion Turistica
This is on the side of the Palacio Consistorial in Cartagena ( The Town Hall)
Plaza del Ayuntamiento S/N
Cartagena, Spain
Tel 968 128 955
Click for map, Tourist Information point, Plaza del Ayuntamiento, Cartagena
Opening hours
May to September: Monday-Saturday 10am-1.30pm and 5pm-7pm
Sunday 10.30am-1.30pm.
October to April: Monday-Saturday 10am-2pm and 4pm-6pm
Sunday 10.30am-1.30pm.
Cartagena - Punto de Información Turística Ascensor Panorámico
Calle Gisbert, 10
30202 CARTAGENA
Opening hours:
From 31st March to 30th June, Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 7pm
Semana Santa, Monday to Sunday 10am to 7pm
From 16th to 30th September (Cartagineses y Romanos) Tuesday to Sunday: 10am to 7pm.
From1st October to 4th November , Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 7pm
From 5th November to 30th March, Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 5.30pm.
From 1st July to 15th September, Monday to sunday 10am to 8pm
Click for map, Panoramic Lift, Cartagena
