Information
Landmark: Walled City of CartagenaCity: Cartagena
Country: Colombia
Continent: South America
Walled City of Cartagena, Cartagena, Colombia, South America
Overview
The Walled City of Cartagena, or Ciudad Amurallada, stands as one of Colombia’s most iconic and historically rich places, its cobblestone streets and weathered stone walls earning it UNESCO World Heritage status in 1984.Encircled by towering stone walls, this remarkably preserved colonial city feels like a living museum-its cobbled streets whispering stories of the Spanish era-yet it hums with the color and energy of modern life.Pedro de Heredia founded Cartagena in 1533, and within a few years, ships heavy with gold and spices crowded its harbor, making it one of Spain’s most important ports in the Americas.In the late 1500s, facing pirate raids and foreign invasions, the Spanish Crown ordered new forts to rise-stone walls thick enough to withstand cannon fire.Between 1586 and 1796, engineer Bautista Antonelli built the walls to shield the city from British, French, and Dutch attacks, their stone still bearing the marks of centuries-old cannon fire.Thick stone walls, towering bastions, and weathered castles stood between the city and countless attacks, holding firm even when Sir Francis Drake’s forces stormed the gates in 1586.Sights to explore inside the old stone walls 1.Las Murallas, the massive city walls, wind for more than 11 kilometers-about 7 miles-circling the old town like a gray ribbon of stone.Made from coral stone, these walls have held firm for over four centuries, their pale surface rough beneath your fingertips.You can stroll along the top of the old stone walls, feeling the warm breeze as the Caribbean Sea glitters beside the sleek, glassy skyline of Cartagena.Number two.Plaza de los Coches is the main gateway to the Walled City, where the yellow Clock Tower (Torre del Reloj) rises above the arch.Long ago, during the colonial era, this square bustled with traders and buyers-it was once the site of a slave market.Today, the place bursts with life-street vendors calling out their specials, the clip-clop of horse-drawn carriages, and the warm scent of food drifting from nearby restaurants.Three.Plaza Santo Domingo and the Iglesia de Santo Domingo buzz with life, where you can sip coffee at a sunny café, hear a guitarist’s warm notes drift through the air, and watch local artists at work.Cartagena’s oldest church, the Iglesia de Santo Domingo, has stood since 1552, its stone walls warm in the afternoon sun.In the plaza stands Fernando Botero’s famed bronze, *La Gorda Gertrudis*-locals say a quick touch brings good luck, and her polished belly proves it.Number four.Plaza de Bolívar and the Palace of the Inquisition sit beside a cool, shaded square where water splashes from stone fountains and benches invite you to pause in honor of Simón Bolívar.This was home to the Palacio de la Inquisición, where, centuries ago, the Spanish Inquisition held trials and handed down punishments in its echoing stone halls.Inside the Inquisition Museum, you’ll find rusted torture devices, relics from the colonial era, and exhibits that bring the past uncomfortably close.Number five.The Cathedral of Cartagena, or Catedral de Santa Catalina de Alejandría, ranks among the oldest in the Americas, its stone walls completed in 1612.It boasts a bright yellow bell tower that catches the sun, elegant colonial-style architecture, and a main altar that commands attention.Number six stood alone on the page, a small dark mark in the wide white space.The Convento de San Pedro Claver is a striking Jesuit convent honoring San Pedro Claver, the “Slave of the Slaves,” who defended and baptized enslaved Africans-its sunlit stone walls still echo his compassion.Inside, the museum showcases religious artifacts alongside the story of Afro-Caribbean history, from worn prayer beads to vibrant festival masks.Seven.Baluarte de San Francisco Javier & Café del Mar is one of the city wall’s best-known bastions, where the stone still smells faintly of salt from the sea breeze.Café del Mar draws crowds for its stunning ocean sunsets, the air filled with the sound of live guitar and the scent of salt on the breeze.It’s the number eight, shaped like two small circles stacked one on top of the other.Teatro Heredia, a graceful neoclassical gem built in 1911, still greets visitors with its carved stone columns and warm golden light.It stages opera, ballet, and other cultural performances, from soaring arias to the rustle of costumes backstage, making it a must for art lovers.Things to do inside the Walled City, from wandering narrow stone lanes to sipping tea by a sunlit courtyard.The best way to discover the city is on foot, and a guided walking tour can bring Cartagena’s rich history and legends to life, from the scent of sea air along its old walls to the echo of stories in its narrow streets.Visitors can stroll at their own pace, winding past bright-painted streets, weathered colonial facades, and sunlit plazas.Number two.Experience the city like a colonial-era noble as you clip-clop along its cobblestone streets in a romantic horse-drawn carriage.Three.Savor the local cuisine-within the Walled City, you’ll find some of Colombia’s finest restaurants, from rustic kitchens serving smoky arepas to sleek spots with inventive, modern menus.You’ve got to try the arepas de huevo-crispy corn cakes stuffed with egg-along with fresh, tangy ceviche and Cartagena’s fragrant coconut rice.Number four.Stroll through the boutique shops and handicraft markets in the Walled City, where bright art galleries line the streets and jewelry stores sparkle with Colombian emeralds.If you love Colombian treats, don’t miss the Portal de los Dulces, where stalls overflow with glossy cocadas and sugar-dusted delights.What makes the Walled City of Cartagena worth a visit?✔ One of the best-preserved colonial cities in Latin America.✔ Rich in history, culture, and breathtaking architecture.✔ Vibrant nightlife, excellent cuisine, and a romantic atmosphere.✔ UNESCO World Heritage Site with incredible fortifications and historical landmarks .It’s one of the best-kept colonial cities in Latin America, where sun-warmed stone streets still echo with the sound of footsteps.It’s steeped in history and alive with culture, where stone arches catch the afternoon light.
