Museo Naval del Caribe | Cartagena

Information

Landmark: Museo Naval del Caribe
City: Cartagena
Country: Colombia
Continent: South America

Museo Naval del Caribe, Cartagena, Colombia, South America

The Museo Naval del Caribe is a maritime museum located in Cartagena, Colombia. It houses a collection of artifacts and exhibits related to naval history and the Caribbean region.

Visual Characteristics

The museum is situated within the historic walls of Cartagena. The building itself is constructed from coral stone and stucco, typical of colonial architecture in the region. Its facade is painted in a pale yellow hue with white trim around windows and doorways. The structure is two stories high, featuring arched windows and a red-tiled roof.

Location & Access Logistics

The museum is located within the Walled City of Cartagena, specifically at Calle San Juan de Dios, No. 3-23. It is approximately 1 kilometer from the city center. Parking is limited within the Walled City; visitors typically use public parking garages such as the one at Parque de la Aduana (approximately 0.5km East). Public transport within the Walled City is primarily by foot or taxi. Bus routes do not directly access the museum's immediate vicinity.

Historical & Ecological Origin

The building housing the Museo Naval del Caribe was originally constructed in the late 17th century as part of Cartagena's defensive fortifications. It served as a naval command post and barracks. The structure is built from locally quarried coral stone, a common building material in Cartagena due to its availability and suitability for the tropical climate.

Key Highlights & Activities

Exhibits include scale models of historical ships, navigational instruments, weaponry from different eras, and displays detailing the naval battles that occurred in the Caribbean. Visitors can view artifacts from the Spanish colonial period and the Colombian Navy's history. Interactive displays explain maritime trade routes and the importance of Cartagena as a port.

Infrastructure & Amenities

Restrooms are available on-site. Limited shaded areas are present within the museum's courtyards. Cell phone signal (4G/5G) is generally available within the museum. No on-site food vendors are present, but numerous restaurants and cafes are located within a 0.2km radius.

Best Time to Visit

The best time of day for photography is between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM when natural light enters the exhibition spaces. The best months for visiting are from December to April, avoiding the heaviest rainfall periods. High tide or low tide does not affect access to the museum.

Facts & Legends

A notable artifact is a replica of the ship "La Popa," a galleon that played a significant role in Caribbean naval history. Local lore suggests that during its time as a military barracks, secret tunnels connected this building to other fortifications, though their existence remains unverified.