Museo Del Teatro Romano (Roman Theater Museum of Cartagena), Cartagena

The Roman Theater Museum is dedicated to the excavation, restoration, and preservation of the Roman theater of Cartagena. Designed by Rafael Moneo and opened in 2008, the museum forms part of a larger project that brought the long-buried Roman Theatre of Cartagena back into public view after its rediscovery in 1988. The theatre had remained hidden for centuries beneath layers of later construction, including parts of the old cathedral.

Rather than presenting the theatre as a standalone monument, the project integrates exhibition spaces, underground passages, and the site itself into a single experience. The visit begins at the Riquelme Palace, located opposite Cartagena City Hall. After entering, proceed through the reception area and continue into the first set of rooms on the ground floor, with introductory panels.

From here, follow the designated path downward through a descending corridor that connects the palace to the modern museum building. This passage transitions you from the historic entrance into the main exhibition space. Once inside, continue forward into the first gallery, where models and visual displays explain the original structure of the theater, including its seating layout and stage design.

Moving ahead, the route leads you through a sequence of connected exhibition rooms, generally arranged in a linear progression. On either side, you will find displays of sculptural fragments, columns, inscriptions, and decorative elements recovered from the site. Continue straight through these galleries, where audiovisual presentations and reconstructed models provide additional context.

Continue along the main route until you reach a larger transitional hall, where partial views of the archaeological remains begin to appear. From here, follow the clearly marked exit passage, which leads you outward and slightly downward. The final section opens directly onto the Roman theater. From this point, you can walk along the restored steps and approach the stage area.