Los sistemas defensivos del Real Arsenal de Cartagena (S. XVIII)

[EN] Cartagena and its arsenal became the main facility of the Spanish Mediterranean during the 18th century. Dozens of fortification were built in order to defend them, which were organised into three large systems of defence. The first was created for the immediate protection of the shipyard by means of perimeter ramparts, which enclosed the facilities, and a battery to the port side. The second was associated with marine defence and was formed by a series of defence batteries built at the mouth of the harbour. Finally, land defence was dealt with by means of the construction of town ramparts and several external forts on the main hills. These defences managed to protect the arsenal and the city against possible attacks from outside and the majority remained in service until the beginning of the 20th century, when a large number were abandoned.