The earliest traces of Carnival are lost in the history of the city, part of the mixed heritage left by civilizations and centuries of history in Cartagena. Although Cartagena was founded by the Carthaginians, it was soon taken by the Romans, becoming Carthago Nova and the great capital of the Roman province in Hispania. It is there that we find the prelude to the Roman Saturnalia, the masks of classical actors, followed through time and history by Christian liturgical seasons and the subsequent popular customs that formed a blend of light, color, symbolism, and music that we know as Carnival.
In Cartagena, the carnival is therefore a festive manifestation with deep historical and cultural roots, whose celebration has been officially documented since the end of the 18th century and which has evolved over time as one of the most representative expressions of the city's popular tradition.
The oldest documentary references found to date place the celebration of the Cartagena Carnival in 1790, through a Carnival comedy performed at the Mechas Factory in the Fuente Cuba neighborhood. This early evidence confirms the existence of early Carnival celebrations in the city, integrated into the society and culture of the time.
Subsequently, and following the documented historical evidence, there are reports from 1856 about masked balls held in halls such as the Ateneo, the Casino of Cartagena and other emblematic spaces of the city, as well as popular celebrations characterized by the use of costumes, masks and troupes, which implies the significant social roots and the notable citizen involvement.
Throughout the 19th century and the first third of the 20th century , the Cartagena Carnival became established as a widely participatory celebration, developing both in the urban space and in relevant social and cultural spheres.
Photo: Cartagena Carnival in 1919 (Cartagena Historical Archive)
As a consequence of the historical events stemming from the Spanish Civil War and the subsequent regulations of 1937, the celebration of carnival was a prohibited festival for several decades of the 20th century.
The Cartagena Carnival was revived in 1981 , marking the beginning of a new era characterized by the gradual recovery of the festival, the reorganization of its events, and the active involvement of local associations and government. From that moment until the present day, the Carnival has become a stable and well-structured event, incorporating parades, major competitions, and activities for all ages, thus regaining its place on the city's festive calendar.