Iglesia parroquia de Santiago Apóstol, Cartagena

The Parroquía de Santiago Apóstol is in the Santa Lucia fishing  district of Cartagena

The Church of Santiago Apóstol is located in the Barrio de Santa Lucía, the district of Santa Lucía, close to the fishing port of Cartagena.

This is the fishing district of Cartagena, and has always been an important area of the city and part of the history of Cartagena, established since it was founded. Today it retains its fishing traditions and contains several fish restaurants which serve local dishes. It is still linked to the daily activities of Cartagena's fishing fleet.

This district is believed by many to have been the location in which Saint James (Santiago) landed in Spain to spread his Christian message throughout Spain. Although Galicia also makes the same claim, it is more likely that the landing point was the port of Santa Lucia in Cartagena, due to the fact that during this era the Mediterranean trading routes were all well established, Cartagena being a principal port, part of a long network of routes which crossed the entire Mediterranean basin.

To commemorate his arrival in the port a statue of the saint is in the Santa Lucia port, which is just around the corner from the main fishing port entrance (behind the iron gates, between the fishing port and main commercial container port). To see it, walk from the gates of the fishing port and follow the road around towards the container port, and you´ll see the Santa Lucía port entrance. Its an area ignored by tourists, yet is the heart and soul of Cartagena.

From here, the Camino de Santiago heads to Santiago de Compostela in the far north-west of Spain, the route the saint is believed to have followed as he spread the message of christianity.

The existing church of Santiago Apóstol is an elegant 18th century building which has undergone restoration following damage incurred during the Civil War, when Cartagena suffered major bombardment due to it being a strategic port and munitions manufacturing city. The doors clearly show the cross of Santiago, a distinctive red pointed cross and the scallop shells of pilgrimage. (Scallop shells were used by pilgrims for eating and drinking, a convenient way to scoop up water and food, easily bored to carry on a belt and with no material value.)

Parish celebrations:

October. Commemoration of the arrrival of Santiago Apóstol. Eucharist is celebrated on either the weekend before or after the holiday of El Pilar on October 15.

25th March: Día de la Encarnación. Eucharist in the Calvario (near the cemetery) at 11am.

Semana Santa.

Corpus Christi - June.

Virgen del Carmen. On 16th July a solemn mass is celebrated and acts relating to the fishing community take palce, culminating in a marine procession with the image of the Virgen during the evening

Festival of Santiago Apostol. 25th July. The image of the saint is carried in procession around the fishing district.

Mass

Mass is held at 8pm from Monday to Saturday and at 11am on Sunday.

Please note, times can change without notice, so please notify us if you visit the church and this is the case. (July 2012, Warden contact number was 968 50 28 17) For general enquiries, contact the Cartagena tourist office , Click Cartagena Tourist Office.

Location

Iglesia Parroquia de Santiago Apóstol

Plaza de la Constitución

Santa Lucia

Cartagena

Click for map, Plaza de la Constitucion, Cartagena.

Click here for more information about the City of Cartagena.