Defense yields over 90 hectares of land that include the Castle, the Fajardo, La Podadera, and Collado batteries, and the Christmas Fort.
Friday, June 20, 2025 �|� Viewed: 429 times
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The mountain of Galeras and all its fortifications become municipal property after the signing of a historic agreement between the mayor of Cartagena, Noelia Arroyo, and the Director General of the Institute of Housing, Infrastructure, and Equipment of Defense (INVIED), Brigadier General Sebasti�n Marcos Morata, whereby the Ministry of Defense transfers to the City Council the over 90 hectares of land that make up the Castle of Galeras, the batteries of Fajardo, La Podadera, and del Collado, and the Christmas Fort.
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The Mayor has emphasized the «enormous responsibility» that the council assumes to protect and preserve these fundamental pieces of the important defensive and natural heritage of the city.
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Arroyo has highlighted the generosity of Defense and the special involvement of General Marcos, a native of Cartagena, who «has defended the interests of the ministry, but has done so with a special care to defend the interests and aspirations of Cartagena.»
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This final step, the disaffectation of the Mountain of Galeras, comes after years of conversations that have significantly accelerated in recent months and according to the mayor, although «the recovery of this valuable set will require time, effort, and many resources, there will be no lack of determination or decision» on the part of the City Council.
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On the other hand, the Director General of INVIED has expressed satisfaction that «this heritage returns to the hands of the people of Cartagena, my fellow citizens,» and with less than a week to retire, he emphasized his pride in closing this agreement, «in which we embarked just over a year ago and for me, few acts and ceremonies can be of such value,» added Brigadier General Sebasti�n Marcos Morata.
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The project has the support of strategic allies such as tourist investors, the Association of Friends of Castles and Fortresses (AFORCA), as well as naturalist and sports entities, as work will be done on the renaturalization of Galeras and the adaptation of trails and areas for sports, «seeking to preserve this green space so beloved by the people of Cartagena for hiking and outdoor activities,» added Arroyo, who also noted that it is a ambitious and costly action, in the long term, and «that demonstrates that the defense heritage has become a collective goal for Cartagena.»
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Cartagena: Reference in Fortified Heritage
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The city has a Master Plan for the Batteries of Cartagena commissioned by the Ministry of Culture and has been invited to an association of fortified cities seeking UNESCO declaration. Success in the recovery of sites such as the Christmas Fort or the San Leandro Battery endorses Cartagena’s experience and commitment in this field.
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The Mayor concluded her speech by thanking the team of officials in the Urban Planning area for their «great enthusiasm» and work, recognizing their «essential role» in integrating this large historical space into the city, which represents a firm commitment of Cartagena to its past and future, transforming a historical legacy into a engine of development and enjoyment for all its citizens and visitors.
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