Cartagena Highlights

A wedding in Cartagena

Cartagena´s old city is its main attraction particularly the districts of El Centro and San Diego surrounded by thick walls, which together with the fortifications were built to protect and defend the city against pirates and other enemies.

Plaza de Bolívar is surrounded by some of the city´s most elegant buildings.

Palacio de la Inquisición

The small window with a cross on top is where heretics were denounced. The principal crimes were magic, witchcraft and blasphemy.

I found this spell quite funny.







Nowadays the place is a museum where you can see instruments of torture, historical objects and paintings.

The Cathedral was partially destroyed by the canons of Francis Drake when it was under construction. It was completed in 1612.

The Church of Santo Domingo was built in the 16th century. It is the oldest in the city. There is also a statue by Fernando Botero in the Plaza Santo Domingo.

A statue of Miguel Cervantes in Cervantes Plaza

Puerta del Reloj (Clock´s gate) was the main entrance to the walled town

Plaza de Los Coches. The statue of the city´s founder, Pedro de Herédia, is in the middle

Plaza de la Aduana. The old Royal Customs House was restored and is now the City Hall

Picture of Cartagena in the Museum of Modern Art

Convent and Church of San Pedro Claver

Pedro Claver was called the “Apostle of the Blacks”, the slaves who were brought from Africa.

Convento de la Popa. 

It was founded 400 years ago

The views stretch all over the city

In the chapel there is an image of La Virgen de la Candelaria, the patroness of the city.

Monument to the Old Shoes honouring the poet Luís Carlos Lopes.

Monument to India Catalina, the woman who served as interpreter to Pedro de Herédia.

The archipelago del Rosario consists of 27 small islands. Only 4 are public. The others are privately owned. They are all surrounded by coral reefs and the whole area has been decreed a national park.

The islands are about 35km southwest of Cartagena.

The beaches in Cartagena are in Bocagrande. The sand is dark but the water is warm...and here it looks like you are in a shopping centre because you can buy almost everything...

The hotel we´re staying in, Bastion, which opened three months ago, is well situated - in the old city-  very comfortable,  modern and tastefully decorated.

Unfortunately the holidays are almost over and tomorrow it is time to go back home.