![]() The crew had fetched fresh buñuelos (fried cheese dough balls) & crispy egg arepas for breakfast that we ate with one hand, hurriedly packing with the other, before jumping in taxis to take us into the heart of the older part of town. An urban heat that felt very different from the island sunshine. The sun was already searingly hot as we clambered above deck that morning - The light multiplied by a calm harbour & the mirrored glass of glossy apartment buildings. That bubble of excitement at arriving in a new city exaggerated by having such an immediate & wide first view from the port. We had the novel delight of arriving into Cartagena (Colombia’s most picturesque city) by catamaran, having just sailed from Panama via the San Blas Islands (you can read more about that trip here). As the doors of the bus hiss open, when you walk out of the airport arrivals hall, as you step onto the train station platform, that little twist of energy at the bottom of your rib-cage a precursor to the next adventure. That wide-eyed, slightly off-balance feeling of being somewhere so entirely new. ![]() We spent a good hour in the shelters, away from the Cartagena June sun, and would thoroughly recommend the shelters as a place to visit for young and old alike.However many places we travel, in whichever countries or continents, there is always something to relish in the first hour of arriving. Cartagena was a key Republican stronghold during the fighting, and supplied food and other materials which enabled Madrid to hold out against Franco's Nationalists. We had just been through many of the areas shown in the film, so the glimpses of the city then and now proved to be quite thought provoking. Signage in English as well as Spanish was provided, and there was an interesting short b&w film about Cartagena during the Civil War. There is a great deal to see, with all sorts of 'hands on' historical activities to attempt. Entry was via a cage lift, and once we were inside, everything proved to be accessible. The fee for entering was 5E inclusive, for both of us, which included a reduction for my wife, who has been in a wheelchair for the past few months. My wife and I visited the Spanish Civil War shelters during a recent 3-night stay in Cartagena. Whoever added all those new placards that are so informative and easy to read (and well-translated) kicked this museum from a collection of stuff to a truly educational experience. I don’t understand why this museum doesn't appear on every list of “Things to do” for not just the city but the whole region. It’s not just quantity, this is a qualitative collection and I wish I’d had more time with it. As in, literally, the Guinness Book of World Records holder for largest collection of military models (as of 2012). Then you turn a corner into a models section. Just leave time!Īlso upstairs are lots of uniforms. Really easy to follow especially with superb, large defensive fortification models. The historical writing was informative in the English translations. I wish these museums found a way to make that work.Īs such, I was rushed on the second floor which contains a really wonderful history of the harbor defenses. I suspect most people interested in this history would combine both in the same day as I did. ![]() Another military museum nearby, the Naval Museum of Cartagena, is also open the same hours. Refreshing to see Spanish Civil War discussed (a bit) and not omitted like other museums.Īs of the day I visited, 9 December 2020, this museum is open 10am-2pm. Some placards for specific artifacts do discuss tactical relevance. Museum lacks broader narrative on how things fit into operational or strategic considerations. These placards generally cover the big ticket artifacts. They’ve done a brilliant job with these placards. Then there are sections with big, new, easy to read placards with well-written, concise English that includes technical specifications. Cool if you can navigate in some meaningful way on your own. These are the “Here’s a bunch of stuff” sections. Half is presented with Spanish-only minimalistic captions. I could’ve spent way more than the 1.5 hours I spent before they closed. Well worth the visit if you’re interested in this history.
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