The Tower of Englishmen in Cartagena

[Asdrúbal el Bello]

Today, enjoying the lovely weather, I went upstairs to the castle of St. Julian, which crowns the port of Cartagena, and I've taken some photos. Within the castle (open to visitors if they dare to make the tough climb) for the first time I´ve saw something on which I had read several times: the Tower of the Englishmen. During the War of Independence (Peninsular War) an English regiment landed in Cartagena under the command of Sir Andrew Ross (http://books.google.com/books?id=XZPf2RzV-PkC&pg=PA9&lpg=PA9&dq=%22Andrew+Ross%22+Cartagena&source=bl&ots=lL_B7OC6VG&sig=1_YvwHAaL13S0uzRZJxPcxJ18HE&hl=es&ei=uPW1S_eoMYvz4ganmpjUDg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CAwQ6AEwAQ). Among the highlights fortifications made the extension of a provisional parapet at the top of Mount San Julian, by building a "Martello Tower" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martello_tower), typical of coastal fortifications United Kingdom in the early 19th century. The later nineteenth castle respected the original tower (although it has been greatly disfigured by the antennas of the late XX).

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And the view from the tower:

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[steve roberts]

Hi Asdrubal.Thank you for posting those views,it certainly is a spectacular view.You say it's a hard climb to get up there,but from your photo of the view,it looks well worth it.We have numerous "Martello" towers around our coastline.One or two preserved,some derelict and crumbling.Even one or two have been converted into holiday homes for rent.Regards Steve.:)

[tonclass]

Today, enjoying the lovely weather, I went upstairs to the castle of St. Julian, which crowns the port of Cartagena, and I've taken some photos. Within the castle (open to visitors if they dare to make the tough climb) for the first time I´ve saw something on which I had read several times: the Tower of the Englishmen. During the War of Independence (Peninsular War) an English regiment landed in Cartagena under the command of Sir Andrew Ross (http://books.google.com/books?id=XZPf2RzV-PkC&pg=PA9&lpg=PA9&dq=%22Andrew+Ross%22+Cartagena&source=bl&ots=lL_B7OC6VG&sig=1_YvwHAaL13S0uzRZJxPcxJ18HE&hl=es&ei=uPW1S_eoMYvz4ganmpjUDg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CAwQ6AEwAQ). Among the highlights fortifications made the extension of a provisional parapet at the top of Mount San Julian, by building a "Martello Tower" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martello_tower), typical of coastal fortifications United Kingdom in the early 19th century. The later nineteenth castle respected the original tower (although it has been greatly disfigured by the antennas of the late XX).

746377463274633

And the view from the tower:

74634

Asdrubal, was in Cartagena last July and wondered about the fortifications on the hill overlooking the harbour.

Did the boat trip around the harbour and Naval base, stopping off at the fortifications half way round.

Also did the same trip the year before (as we were staying near La Manga)

Loved the town, and managed to walk all around. Even bought my new camera in Cartagena.

Thanks for the pix as it brought back some great memories...

PS. Have they repaired the road around the central roundabout (near the naval dockyard) as it caused me no end of problems trying to get around the place ? :)

[Asdrúbal el Bello]

PS. Have they repaired the road around the central roundabout (near the naval dockyard) as it caused me no end of problems trying to get around the place ? :)

I suppose you mean the Plaza de España. Yes, it opened to traffic (finally!) About two weeks ago.