Historic places in Cartagena

Historic places in Cartagena

1. See

   Castillo de San Felipe

   A fortress designed by the Dutch engineer Richard Carr and built in 1657 by the Spanish for protection against pirates while shipping gold out to Europe. The largest fort the Spanish ever built in their colonies, this fort was conquered only once by French privateer Baron de Pointis in 1697. It's filled with an extensive maze of tunnels, which you can explore on a guided tour. Don't miss the 24-minutes long video that tells the history of the fortress.

   Open now · closes 6 pm·COP$30,000 (foreigner). Audio guide COP$10,000

2. See

   Catedral de Santa Catalina

   A three-naved cathedral which is rather crude on the inside, but has an impressive tower.

   Tue-Sun 09:30-18:30·COP$10,000

3. See

   Iglesia de Santo Domingo

   Not far from the cathedral is the oldest church in Cartagena. Santo Domingo on the eponymous square has been here since 1552. You can rent audio guides, available in many languages.

   Tue-Sat 09:00-19:00, Sun 12:00-20:00·COP$10,000

4. See

   La Popa

   Close to the San Felipe fortress is the 150-m high La Popa hill, which offers great views over Cartagena and the harbour area. The 17th century Santa Cruz monastery is here, which has a beautifully restored courtyard and a fine image of the Virgin of La Candelaria, the patron saint of the city. On the 2nd of February every year, pilgrims celebrate her. Entrance to La Popa is COP$8,000 for adults and a little less for children. Taking a taxi up and down the hill will cost you a shocking COP$50,000. Negotiate this with the driver before going. It is advised that you do not walk up as it can be dangerous.

5. Eat

   La Vitrola

   Considered the best restaurant in town. Cuban ambiance, good food - high prices. It is on Calle Baloco at the corner front to the historical walls.

   Mid-range

6. See

   Museo Naval del Caribe

   In a former Jesuit college right behind the convent. It offers an informative overview of the history of the city and the naval history of the Caribbean. However the exhibits are replicas, not originals.

   Open now · closes 7 pm·COP$6,000

7. Eat

   Otro Mundo

   Bistrò-Bar-Pizzeria

   Otro Mundo Bistrò-Bar-Pizzeria it is in Centro Historico de Cartagena de Indias, Calle San Agustin 6-68, close Universita de Cartagena (Cartagena University). There you can eat excellent Croatian dishes, pastas, and the best pizza of America. Ambient is rustically tip, very clean with excellent service. The price of dishes and pizza is very good. In the local you can use gratis WiFi internet connection. They do also pizza delivery.

   Open now · closes midnight tomorrow·Croatian Cevapcici COP$18,000; Pasta frutos del mar $20,000; small pizza from $12,000, medium $25,000, large $35,000.

8. Drink

   Otro Mundo

   Bistrò-Bar.Pizzeria

   Otro Mundo Bistrò-Bar-Pizzeria is in Centro Historico de Cartagena, Calle San Agustin 6-68 and is near Universita de Cartagena. There you can eat excellent Croatian dishes, pastas, and the best pizza of America. Ambient is very clean and service is excellent. The price and quality of the dishes and pizza are very good. Every day you can listen good music and taste also good drinks, like beer, cocktails, juice and natural juice, all this with very good price and hospitable service.

   Open now · closes midnight tomorrow

9. See

   Palacio de la Inquisición

   Museo de la Inquisición

   The museum of Palacio de la Inquisición (Palace of Inquisition) was where the Spanish Inquisition tortured, judged and convicted people accused of crimes against religion.The tribunal was responsible for all of South America and sentenced almost 700 people, including Jesuits opposing slavery. Many of the accused were badly tortured. Today the museum shows some instruments of torture actually used back then.

   Mon-Sat 09:00-18:00, Sun 10:00-16:00·COP$17,000. A tourist guide, in English, can be purchased for COP$15,000.

10. See

    Plaza de Bolívar

    Some blocks inwards there's the Plaza de Bolívar with an equestrian statue of the liberation hero. Before the independence of Colombia this was known as Plaza de Inquisición, and next to it you can find the inquisition palace. where during two centuries the Catholic church held processes against heretics.

11. See

    Plaza de los Coches

    From Camellon de los Martires you pass through the historical city gate Puerta del Reloj, the gate of the clock, onto the triangular square Plaza de los Coches, the place of the carriages. Once this was one of the largest slave markets in all of Latin America, a major source of wealth to the city, aside of the gold export to Spain. Nowadays a statue of Pedro de Heredia, the founder of the city, stands on this square.

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Cartagena (CC BY-SA 4.0).