Cartagena

Gregorio was right.

Cartagena has a very long history. 50.000 years ago Neader speakers lived in a cave close to the city's current location. Many years later, when the breed had become extinct, an Iberian tribe established a settlement in the area. A natural harbor and rich deposits of silver created the conditions for a significant trade with the outside world.

In the year 227 BC, the city was occupied by the Punic (Phoenicians) and became a military hub for the possessions on the Iberian Peninsula. It was from here that the army commander Hannibal with an army of 38.000 infantrymen, 8.000 cavalrymen and 38 elephants started his campaign (the "Alpine expedition") towards Rome.

While Hannibal was on his campaign, a Roman army captured the city and gained control of the silver mines. The extraction was expanded. At one point, 40.000 slaves worked in the mines. The silver from here made a significant contribution to the financing of the expansion of the Roman Empire.

The city was named Carthago Nova (the new Carthago) and gained 200 years later under Caesar status as a Roman colony.

When the Roman Empire fell, the city was destroyed by the Vandals in the year 425 and rebuilt 125 years later, when it became part of the Byzantine Empire

Under the Moors, the city became subject to the Emirate of Cordoba. The Christians entered the city of 500 years later and named it Cartagena.

In the latter half of the 16 century, the city's harbor once again became an important military port.

Cartagena's recent history is marked by ups and downs.

So maybe Gregorio will be right that Cartagena will experience progress within the next 5-10 years if the tourist interest develops as he expects.