The Pedreno palace

In cartagena the bombardments after the local independentist revolt made it necessary to refurbish both streets and buildings. New works appeared this way, such as the Pedreño palace, with an eclectic façade and a notable white marble staircase and a dancing hall on the inside;the main office of the Sociedad de Amogos del País founded in 1833; the house and palace of Pascual Riquelme and the Iglesia de la Caridad, the first construction in the Region to boast of an internal metallic structure.

Its large dome has stained glass in the gaps. The city opened up to the sea with the new Alfonso XII promenade, officially opened by the monarch himself between the old wall and the sea. New barracks appeared; those of the Guardiamarinas by the Muralla del Mar and with Dorian olumns and ample balustraded balconies.

But it was Modernism that really made an impact in the present appearance of cartagena and the nearby town of La Unión. It was an artistic movement from late XIX century and early XX century full of desing, delicacy, and a close involvement with natural elements.