Torre Ciega: The 1st Century BCE Roman Tomb

Meet Torre Ciega, an imposing sepulchral monument from the 1st century BCE located on the outskirts of the historic center of Cartagena. This majestic relic is one of the three best-preserved Roman funerary towers on the Iberian Peninsula. The tower was erected as a tribute to Tito Didio, a Roman dignitary who served as the proconsul of Hispania Citerior in the year 94 BCE. The monument forms part of a sprawling Roman necropolis that was situated along the main entrance road to the city.

A local legend whispers of concealed riches within, which led neighbors to pierce the monument despite it being well preserved until the 18th century. By the middle of the 20th century, it was in a very ruined state before being restored by Pedro San Martín. At that time, it was the only remaining monument of the ancient Roman city of Carthago Nova.

Excavations carried out in the area surrounding the monument have confirmed the presence of a large Roman necropolis dating from the city's period of greatest splendor. These excavations have uncovered numerous material remains, such as cinerary urns and stelae, which are kept in the local museum.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons