The National Museum of Underwater Archaeology takes its name, ARQUA, from the Latin words Archaeologia and Aqua. Its origin dates back to 1970, when the Underwater Archaeological Excavations Board was created, and then, in 1980, the National Museum and Centre for Underwater Archaeological Research was created in Cartagena.
This museum has archaeological remains related to the Mediterranean maritime traffic from Phoenician times, through the Punic, Hellenic and Roman cultures.
Among other things, it maintains custody of the Odyssey treasure, the collection of the Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes frigate with more than 570,000 silver and gold coins from the 18th and early 19th centuries.
Museums in Cartagena
Roman Cartagena
Christian Cartagena
Unique buildings
Defensive buildings
Cartagena and the sea
Squares & Parks