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This house, in the historic center of Cartagena (a walled city -for military reasons- since colonial times), was designed by Rogelio Salmona for Nobel Prize winner Gabriel García Márquez. The house is located between a walkway parallel to the city walls and Curato Street, in the traditional neighborhood of San Diego. Despite being a modern construction, it is respectful of the formal,
historical, and cultural particularities of the city.
The colonial houses of Cartagena were a source of inspiration, and we find many similarities in their formal language, arrangement around patios, and the spatiality that enriches the senses.
If in the traditional Cartagena house, the interior landscape was created with patios, places of magic, and vegetation. At this one, Gabo’s, in addition to providing the interior landscape, other possibilities were explored by raising the patios to conquer the exterior landscape, not only of the walls but also of the horizon, the sky, and the sea.
With this house, he sought the charm that any architectural work should produce so that it would allow the writer to create and dream.
The last of the coastal areas, along with Barú and Rosario, which stand out for their idyllic beaches on the shores of the Caribbean Sea, formed by a group of 10 islands that are also part of the Rosario Islands Coraline Natural Park.
Among its islands, the most famous is Múcura, an idyllic spot of warm and crystalline waters, with colors ranging from green to blue, next to lush mangroves where you can go hiking. Tintipán, just five minutes by boat from the first, is also known for its magnificent coral reefs, considered among
the best in Colombia for snorkeling.
The cathedral is located in the Historic Center of the city, on the corner of Santos de Piedra Street and Plaza del Pregón.
From afar you can perceive its majesty. One of the places that no one wants to miss in the Historic Center of Cartagena de Indias is the Cathedral of Santa Catalina de Alejandría. whose beautiful dome is adorned with beautiful colors and illuminated at night. It acts as a lighthouse, indicating to locals and travelers that the destination of their adventure is very close.
Its design is part of the last stage of Spanish Renaissance architecture, with a Herrerian or Mannerist style typical of the reign of Philip II. The master builder, Simón González, was inspired by its creation of the basilicas of Andalusia and the Canary Islands. The building, whose construction began in 1577 to replace the simple cathedral of “straw and reeds”; has a basilica
plan, is divided into three naves, and is accompanied by a series of adjoining chapels. Also, the tower that can be seen today designed by the French architect Gaston Lelarge. As a result of a remodeling carried out in the early twentieth century.
La Serrezuela was originally built in 1893 and used to be the central theater and bullfighting stadium. Until the 1970s, bullfights, equestrian exhibitions, plays and concerts, and boxing tournaments were held there. Over time, the building deteriorated, and events were no longer held there. A fire left the situation quite desolate, until a visionary group of investors, restoration
experts, and designers undertook the mammoth task of restoring the iconic structure to its former splendor (and then some!).
You’ll find La Serrezuela on the outskirts of San Diego, just a couple of blocks from the Sofitel Santa Clara and Plaza San Diego, inside the “Walled City” Center.
Inside there is much to see, starting with the incredibly impressive reconstruction of the wooden stadium. From a shopping standpoint, you’ll probably want to start at the back. Occupying most of the basement, Malva calls itself an “independent department store,” the brands and items it sells
are unique, beautiful, Colombian, and highly coveted. Beautiful clothes, jewelry, hats, skin care products, shoes, and home goods: it’s a tight but expert edit of the best in Colombian design.
reclining outside colonial building in Plaza San Francisco, Cartagena, Colombia the star of Plaza Santo Domingo is undoubtedly La Gorda Gertrudis, a Rubenesque bronze beauty that lies naked on a pedestal in the square. Rumor has it that if you give her breast a rub, you will have good luck. This rotund bronze statue was created by the world-famous Colombian artist Fernando Botero.
Another coastal area is famous for its dreamy beaches, formed by a group of 27 islands located off the Baru peninsula, 45 minutes by boat from Cartagena. All these islands are part of the Parque Natural Corales Islas del Rosario, which is home to wetlands, mangroves, and extensive coral reefs, home to extraordinary marine biodiversity.
Among its islands, the best known is Isla Grande, the largest as its name suggests, a place where you can find paradisiacal beaches, inland lagoons, tropical dry forests, and mangroves that reach down to the foot of the sands.
The Baru Peninsula is a coastal area located south of Cartagena de Indias 45 minutes by boat, known for its paradisiacal beaches considered virgin with white sands, transparent waters, mangrove forests and coral reefs.
Within the Baru Peninsula area are a series of small towns with a total population of approximately 10,000 people, all characterized by their simple infrastructures that maintain the charm of a rustic village. Among its beach jewels is Playa Blanca, considered the most important beach resort of the peninsula and one of the best beaches in Colombia.
It is the highest point of Cartagena de Indias, a strategic position that allows privileged views of the old city, the Caribbean Sea, Tierrabomba Island, and La Boquilla. On its summit shines the beautiful Religious Complex of La Popa, composed of a Church, a Convent, and a Cloister, built by the Order of the Augustinian Recollects between 1609 and 1611.
Currently, the convent houses the Religious Museum, a building that can be visited along with the cloister.
Military construction was erected between 1789 and 1798, closing the fortification perimeter of the old city. It was conceived as a bomb-proof structure of 47 arches and 23 vaults to house the Spanish royal troops, store ammunition and defend a section of the walls.
Today restored, its houses the main handicraft market of the old city, one of the best tourist sites in Cartagena de Indias to acquire original souvenirs of the Colombian Caribbean coast, such as hammocks, the famous “vueltiaos hats” ruanas, and costume jewelry made of coconut shell and
mother-of-pearl.
It is a magnificent eclectic style building erected in 1902, designed by Luis Felipe Jaspe, the same architect who designed the Clock Tower of Cartagena. The building was erected on the foundations of the old chapel of La Merced, taking advantage of its original structure of three naves.
Among its architectural features are the cedar wood lattices that separate the boxes, as well as the sumptuous ornaments that divide the bleachers, made of plaster covered with 22 carat gold leaf.
One of the most bohemian squares in Cartagena de Indias. It is a place surrounded by colonial architecture, with a central sculpture by the famous artist Botero, and numerous bars and restaurants that operate until late at night.
Among the surrounding buildings is the church of the same name, an imposing brick-walled building erected in the 16th century by the Dominican order of friars. The church is a jewel of colonial architecture, with a masterful stone façade with Doric columns, and beautiful interior spaces, such as the Marraja chapel.
The Plaza of San Pedro Claver is another of the charming colonial squares hidden in Cartagena, characterized by its colorful architecture, decorated with arches and neat wooden balconies. In this square, there is also a collection of metal sculptures designed by sculptor Edgardo Carmona, showing the daily activities of Cartagena’s social life.
Around the surrounding buildings, the church of the same name stands out, a temple built in the early eighteenth century by the Jesuit order known for housing the remains of St. Peter Claver, a priest who dedicated his entire life to evangelizing the black slaves of New Granada. Behind the church is the former convent that was part of the religious complex, now a museum.
The Plaza of San Pedro Claver is another of the charming colonial squares hidden in Cartagena, characterized by its colorful architecture, decorated with arches and neat wooden balconies. In this square, there is also a collection of metal sculptures designed by sculptor Edgardo Carmona, showing the daily activities of Cartagena’s social life.
Around the surrounding buildings, the church of the same name stands out, a temple built in the early eighteenth century by the Jesuit order known for housing the remains of St. Peter Claver, a priest who dedicated his entire life to evangelizing the black slaves of New Granada. Behind the church is the former convent that was part of the religious complex, now a museum.
The Plaza de la Aduana is considered one of the most beautiful squares in the city. It is designed with a triangular shape, and surrounded by colorful colonial buildings, among which stands out the imposing building of La Aduana, a construction of portals and delicate wooden balconies, where Don Pedro de Heredia, founder of Cartagena de Indias, resided in the sixteenth century. The center of the square is dominated by a marble sculpture of Christopher Columbus, accompanied by an indigenous woman on a pedestal, the latter decorated with reliefs of the three famous ships of the Discovery: The Pinta, the Niña and the Santamaría.
Located in the Plaza Bolivar, it corresponds to an emblematic building that housed the Tribunal of the Holy Office of the Inquisition. The Inquisition was an institution that dictated the trials and interrogations against the presumed heretics in the XVIII century.
This building stands out for the beauty of its colonial architecture, and it is considered one of the best exponents of the civil architecture of Cartagena. With an imposing stone facade reminiscent of a baroque church and careful carpentry that can be seen in its details. Today it is the seat of the Historical Museum of the Indies, which houses unique collections of the terrifying machinery and objects used for the interrogations of the Inquisition.
Zenú bracelets at the Gold Museum, on Jack Zalium’s Flickr.
Located in the vicinity of Plaza Bolivar, it is one of the must-see tourist attractions in Cartagena de Indias for history lovers, as it houses priceless collections of gold, ceramics, and skeletons from several pre-Columbian cultures.
Among them are the jewels and ceramics of the Zenú Culture, the true protagonist of the museum, a civilization that inhabited the plains of the Colombian Caribbean approximately four thousand years ago, known for its elaborate hydraulic techniques through drainage canal systems. Other cultures included in the museum are the Tayrona, the Calima, and the Muisca, the latter famous for its association with the legend of El Dorado.
A beautiful square that can be seen just after the Clock Tower, surrounded by old 16th-century mansions with colorful wooden balconies and charming arched portals. The square, so called because at the end of the twentieth century it was used as a parking lot for horse-drawn carriages, is today always full of life, with numerous tourists and picturesque carriages waiting for passengers. In the center of the square stands the statue of Pedro de Heredia, founder of the city, while on its western side is the famous Portal de Los Dulces, a passageway lined with shops and stalls offering the traditional delicacies of Colombia’s Caribbean coast.
Famous gateway to the Walled City, characterized by its baroque stone facade that precedes an imposing structure known as the Clock Tower, an extraordinary monument distinguished by the prestigious BBC news network as one of the most beautiful “Clock Towers” in the world. It was erected in the early 17th century as an access point to the city, then rebuilt in 1704 incorporating the Baroque façade and Tuscan columns, while the Clock Tower, which shines today, was not annexed until 1888.
Getsemani is the neighborhood where everyone is welcome. Getsemani is an artistic, bohemian barrio located just outside of Cartagena’s historic center. It’s only a 10-minute stroll away from the center, but it has a feeling all its own. Those visiting seek creative inspiration, be it in the form of art, food, drink, dance, or more. From the colorful houses to Plaza Trinidad and the humidity from the sweltering Caribbean sun. Plaza de Santisima Trinidad is the heart of the barrio. It’s home to a beautiful old 17th-century church too. In Getsemani every street corner has history and art, making it a unique neighborhood. Everybody huddles up in Getsemani! It is similar to the Wynwood Art District in Miami but, in a different way. Getsemani is authentically charming and easy to fall in love with. Look at the street performance, If you go to Plaza Trinidad at night. Street art is a form of expression and Getsemani has many things to say. Getsemani is a neighborhood that begs to be explored on foot. The narrow streets are lined with colorful colonial-era buildings, and there’s street art to be found all over. The murals focus on the city’s history, stories, and current topics relevant to the barrio, including racial segregation, gentrification, and increasing tourism.
This castle, erected in the 17th century is one of the most interesting tourist sites in Cartagena for those interested in architecture. It is considered one of the main works of Spanish military engineering in America. The castle, as well as the historic center of the city and its fortifications, is part of the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Within its architecture stands out its monumental set of walls with wide bases that narrow as they reach the height, its upper plaza with panoramic views of the entire bay and its complex system of subway tunnels.
These walls were conceived to protect the city from the continuous attacks of corsairs and pirates who came to plunder the port, attracted by the riches sent from its coasts to Spain. The fortification took more than a hundred years to complete and was carried out in stages from 1586 to 1699, covering the entire perimeter of the old town, San Diego and Getsemaní.
Today it is possible to stroll above them, peeking through their windows or among their numerous forts and bastions, such as Santiago, Santo Domingo (the oldest) or Santa Clara. This walk reaches its splendor at sunset, when we can get romantic images of the sun setting over the horizon of the
ocean.
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