The Cartagena Carnival has a documented historical background spanning more than two centuries, as well as a history of regular and continuous celebrations for the last 45 years of its recent history, from 1981 to the present . This contemporary period has allowed the Carnival to consolidate itself as a celebration fully integrated into the cultural and social life of the municipality.

The historical and cultural evolution of the Cartagena Carnival, along with its recovery and continuity in recent decades, led to its institutional recognition through the declaration of Festival of Regional Tourist Interest by the Autonomous Community of the Region of Murcia, granted by Order of April 7, 1993. This recognition represented a significant milestone in the history of the Carnival and an endorsement of its cultural, social and tourist value.

In recent years, and given the scale that the festival has acquired, work has been underway to improve, include more events and enhance their quality, by the Carnival Federation and with institutional support.

In 2019, Cartagena decided to honor this important event in the city's folklore by erecting a Carnival Monument located on one of the city's central streets, the Alameda de San Antón, very close to the Plaza de España, where the carnival parades traditionally take place. It is an allegorical ensemble consisting of a sphere and a mask, designed by the sculptor Minaya Calderón, representing a further step in the institutional investment in promotion and dissemination for citizens and visitors in the city.

Photo: Inauguration of the Carnival Monument (2019) with the participation of some comparsas.