Cartagena is a port city in the north of the South American country Colombia, bordering the Caribbean Sea. The city, also called Cartagena de Indias, is named after the Cartagena in Spain. Approximately 1,075,000 people live and this number is multiplied by the tourists who find their way to the Colombian city more and more and to rent their own private home or colonial house in Cartagena.
Cartagena is the first city where the liberated African slaves from the interior went, and that is still reflected in the multicultural societies and the colorful cityscape. Wherever you walk; you will always find a cute little square, a colorful balcony, a picturesque street or a beautiful building. Because if the city is known for something, it is about the many beautiful buildings in the form of museums and churches.
Must see’s with our Villas in Cartagena Cartagena
If you look at it very black and white, Cartagena consists of two parts; the old walled city (Getsemani) and the Bocagrande peninsula. On the latter you will find the large beach resorts and modern shopping centers. For culture, romance and an afternoon of strolling you go to the walled city. Here you will also find the most sights!
In the 16th century, Cartagena was a prominent Spanish port and was the principal storage depot for precious treasure plundered by the Spanish from the Indians of Central and South America. Treasure was stored in Cartagena until it could be transported back to Spain. As a result, Cartagena was regularly attacked by hordes of pirates operating throughout the Caribbean. Such prominent buccaneers as Sir Francis Drake and Edward Vernon sacked it repeatedly. To defend against such attacks, the Spaniards built a series of fortresses and walls around the city. The walls required almost two centuries to complete and were finished
Cultural Cartagena: What you should not miss from the many sights in Cartagena? In any case, walk first over the old city wall Las Murallas, which is almost intact in its entirety. From the city wall you immediately get to know the city a little bit; it will help you later with your orientation!
Also special is the old fort San Felipe de Barajas. The fort, built between 1536 and 1657 to stop the English, is the largest fort ever built by the Spaniards. Other ‘old’ favorites are Le Catadral de Santa María la Vieja and the Torre del Reloj clock tower.
If you like museums, Palacio de la Inquisicion is a must. The instruments of torture in the former Tribunal of the Inquisition are somewhat lugubrious, but it is also interesting. For gems, go to the Joyeria Caribe Museum. You can find even more bling bling at the Cartagena Gold Museum.
The most beautiful squares in Cartagena
The most famous and lively square is Plaza Bolivar. Here you find a picture of Bolivar, the former president of Bolivia, who was at the birth of Colombia. Next to the statue you will find palm trees and fountains and in the evening local chess players gather here for a fanatic game. Feel free to ask if you can join!
The plaza Plaza San Pedro, Plaza Santa Domingo and Plaza San Diego are also recommended and are one of the best places to rent a luxury villa in Cartagena. Here you get to know traditional dances, among international restaurants, boutique shops within a local environment. Plaza de los Coches is also a popular square among the inhabitants of Cartagena where you’ll find the art students gathered around in front of their University.
Plazas: Some of the more colorful include Plaza de los Coches, Plaza de la Aduana, Plaza Santa Teresa, Plaza de Bolivar, and Plaza de San Pedro Claver.
Palacio de la Inquisicion: Not only a grand example of colonial architecture, it was here that the heretics were accused and punished by the Punishment Tribunal of the Holy Office.
Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas: Just outside the old city, this was reputed to be the largest and strongest fortress ever built by the Spanish. It is a remarkable structure and well worth the visit.
Las Bovedas: This is a complex of 23 dungeons built first to store military munitions but later used as a jail. It was featured in the movie Romancing the Stone (Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner).
No matter if you go to Cartagena just to see the old city or to search for one of the Galeones near the Mediterranean coast, you can be sure that there is a lot of nice things to see and do.
Don’t forget that many decades ago Spain was one of the most rich and powerful countries in the Mediterranean, therefore the architecture and the culture are very spectacular.
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