Last updated on March 21, 2024.

The UNESCO World Heritage listed Old Town of Cartagena is one of the most charming places to visit in Colombia. It sits behind Spanish defensive walls and is full of colorful colonial buildings.

Calle de la Factoría in Old Town, Cartagena, Colombia
Calle de la Factoría

 

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Introduction to the Old Town of Cartagena

The Old Town of Cartagena and is divided into two neighborhoods, El Centro and San Diego.  El Centro is the area that contained the government buildings, cathedral, and residences of the wealthy during the Spanish colonial period. Most buildings flaunt the wealth of the city’s colonial past, and there’s history around every corner.

Calle de Santo Domingo in El Centro, Cartagena, Colombia
Calle de Santo Domingo
Calle Ricaurte in El Centro, Cartagena, Colombia
Calle Ricaurte
Street sign
Looking towards the cathedral in El Centro, Cartagena, Bolívar, Colombia
Looking towards the cathedral

San Diego was the neighborhood where middle class merchants and craftsmen lived. It features several beautiful colonial buildings like El Centro, but for the most part it’s quieter and much less crowded. Today, there are lots of upscale hotels and excellent restaurants scattered throughout the area.

Calle del Tejadillo
Calle del Tejadillo
Calle Estanco del Aguardiente
Calle Estanco del Aguardiente
Patagonia Restaurant in San Diego, Cartagena, Bolívar, Colombia
Patagonia Restaurant
Calle de la Chichería
Calle de la Chichería

 

Colonial Buildings

The best thing to do in the Old Town of Cartagena is wander up and down the narrow streets of both El Centro and San Diego to admire the colonial architecture. Just about every street is beautiful. Many buildings have large balconies overflowing with flowers. In my opinion, the most beautiful streets in El Centro are Calle Baloco, Calle de los Estribos, Calle de la Factoría, Calle Estanco del Aguardiente, Calle de Santo Domingo, and Calle Ricaurte. In San Diego, I like Calle Tumbamuertos, Calle Cochera del Hobo, and Calle del Curato.

Callejón de los Estribos in El Centro, Cartagena, Colombia
Callejón de los Estribos
Calle de Santo Domingo in El Centro, Cartagena, Colombia
Calle de Santo Domingo
Calle de la Factoría
Calle de la Factoría

 

Door Knockers

Pay special attention to the elaborate door knockers and the metal knots on the doors. Apparently, they tell a lot about the wealth and social status of the former homeowners, although many are new and placed on buildings for show.

Door knocker in San Diego
Door knocker
Lion’s head door knocker
Door knocker
Door knocker
Lizard door knocker
Door knocker
Door knocker in San Diego, Cartagena, Bolívar, Colombia
Door knocker

 

Organization of This Post

For this tour of the Old Town of Cartagena, we’ll start outside the city walls at the Puerta del Reloj, which was the main gate during the Spanish colonial period. We’ll then walk around El Centro, dipping out of the walls at one point, and continue to San Diego. At the end, we’ll walk through a small section outside the walls of San Diego.

 

Puerta del Reloj

The Puerta del Reloj (Clock Tower Gate) is known locally as Boca del Puente. It linked the commercial, governmental, and wealthy area of the Old Town to the slave quarter of Getsemaní by a drawbridge over a moat. The bridge was made of wood and dated back to 1540.

Puerta del Reloj on the Walls of Cartagena, Colombia
Puerta del Reloj

The first gate was built in 1631 and was destroyed during the French Raid on Cartagena in 1697, led by Bernard Desjean, Baron de Pointis (1645-1707). It was rebuilt starting in 1704 by engineer Juan de Herrera y Sotomayor (d. 1732) with three bomb-proof vaults and stores to keep food and supplies. It also contained a spire to hold the city clock and bell.

Puerta del Reloj on the Walls of Cartagena, Colombia
Puerta del Reloj

The gate kept its form until 1888 when the clock tower was added by local architect Luis Felipe Jaspe Franco (1846-1918).

Inside the Puerta del Reloj in El Centro, Cartagena, Colombia
Inside of the Puerta del Reloj

 

Plaza of the Martyrs

Plaza of the Martyrs (Plaza de Independencia), is a long plaza in front of the Puerta del Reloj. In the beginning of the 17th century, it became the location of the city’s slaughterhouse. The slaughterhouse moved when a public market later developed and the space became a plaza known to locals as Slaughterhouse Plaza (Plaza del Matadero).

Plaza of the Martyrs in Cartagena, Colombia
Plaza of the Martyrs

On November 11, 1911, the plaza was officially named Centennial Plaza (Plaza del Centenario), and later Independence Plaza (Plaza de la Independencia). It takes its current name from the fact that nine Colombian revolutionaries were executed there on February 24, 1816, by Spanish military officer Pablo Morillo (1775-1837).

Plaza of the Martyrs in Cartagena, Colombia
Plaza of the Martyrs

 

Pegasus Wharf

Along the plaza you’ll find the Pegasus Wharf (El Muelle de los Pegasos). It features two large statues of the mythical winged horses.

Pegasus Wharf in Cartagena, Colombia
Pegasus Wharf
Pegasus statues
Pegasus statues

You can also get great views of some yachts and replica wooden ships moored nearby, as well as the city walls and the dome of the Church of San Pedro Claver. One of the ships is the Pirate Ship Museum (Museo Galeón Bucanero).

Wharf
Wharf
View from the wharf
View from the wharf
Pirate Ship Museum in Cartagena, Colombia
Pirate Ship Museum

 

Cervantes Monument

On the Plaza of the Martyrs just opposite the Puerta del Reloj is a monument to Cervantes. It was dedicated in 2007 during a visit by the King of Spain. It features a bronze statue of the author sitting at a table. On the sides of the base are reliefs depicting different scenes from Don Quixote.

Cervantes monument in Cartagena, Colombia
Cervantes monument

 

El Centro, Old Town of Cartagena

Once you pass through the Puerta del Reloj, you’ve entered the El Centro neighborhood of the Old Town of Cartagena.

 

Plaza de los Coches

Directly behind Puerta del Reloj is Plaza de los Coches (Carriage Square). It was originally used as a slave market, and by the end of the 16th century was full of merchants selling goods from Europe.

Plaza de los Coches
Plaza de los Coches
Buildings around Plaza de los Coches in El Centro, Cartagena, Colombia
Buildings around Plaza de los Coches

At the end of the 19th century, the city allowed carriages to park and wait on the side of the square, and locals began to call it Plaza de los Coches. The public gallows were located there until the 20th century, and executions occasionally took place. The statue in the center is of Pedro de Heredia (1505-1554), the founder of Cartagena.

Plaza de los Coches in El Centro, Cartagena, Colombia
Plaza de los Coches
Pedro de Heredia monument on Plaza de los Coches
Pedro de Heredia monument

 

Portal of the Sweets

The portal running along Plaza de los Coches is called the Portal of the Sweets (Portal de los Dulces). Not surprisingly, you can find a whole row of vendors selling delicious local sweets.

Portal of the Sweets (Portal de los Dulces)
Portal of the Sweets

 

Plaza de la Aduana

Plaza de la Aduana (Customs Square) is a few steps south of Plaza de los Coches. It’s the largest square in the Old Town of Cartagena and takes up the southeast corner of El Centro. In 1790, during the Spanish colonial period, the offices for Customs Administration was installed there.

Plaza de la Aduana in Cartagena, Colombia
Plaza de la Aduana
Plaza de la Aduana
Plaza de la Aduana
Panoramic view of Plaza de la Aduana
Panoramic view of Plaza de la Aduana

 

Royal Customs House

The Royal Customs House (Casa de la Aduana), which takes up the entire east side of the square, was responsible for inspecting all goods coming into port. It was originally built as the home of Pedro de Heredia (c. 1505-1554), the founder of Cartagena. Nowadays, it serves as City Hall (Alcaldía). Cartagena’s UNESCO plaque is located on a wall under the portal.

Royal Customs House in El Centro, Cartagena, Colombia
Royal Customs House
UNESCO plaque in Cartagena, Colombia
UNESCO plaque

 

Casa del Marqués de Premio Real

On the west end of the square is the Casa del Marqués de Premio Real. It was built in the 18th century and served as the home of Domingo de Miranda y Llanos, the first Marquis de Premio Real. It was later converted to a warehouse and was also the home of French consul Adolfo Barrot.

Casa del Marqués de Premio Real in El Centro, Cartagena, Colombia
Casa del Marqués de Premio Real

 

Columbus Statue

A statue of Christopher Columbus sits at the east end of the square. It was erected on October 12, 1894, and is a replica of a statue in Genoa, Italy. An attempt by city officials to rename the square after Columbus shortly after failed miserably.

Plaza de la Aduana in El Centro, Cartagena, Bolívar, Colombia
Plaza de la Aduana
Christopher Columbus statue in Plaza de la Aduana in El Centro, Cartagena, Bolívar, Colombia
Christopher Columbus statue

 

Plaza de San Pedro Claver

Around the corner from Plaza de la Aduana is Plaza de San Pedro Claver. There you can find the Church of San Pedro Claver, which is covered in another post, and several interesting iron sculptures by Colombian artist Edgardo Carmona. It’s also where visitors can get one of the most iconic photos of Cartagena.

Plaza de San Pedro Claver in Cartagena, Colombia
Plaza de San Pedro Claver
Plaza de San Pedro Claver in El Centro, Cartagena, Bolívar, Colombia
Plaza de San Pedro Claver
Sculpture by Edgardo Carmona in Plaza de San Pedro Claver in Cartagena, Colombia
Sculpture by Edgardo Carmona
Plaza de San Pedro Claver in Cartagena, Colombia
Plaza de San Pedro Claver

At the south end of the plaza is a monument featuring San Pedro Claver helping a young slave boy.

Statue of San Pedro Claver and a young slave boy in Cartagena, Colombia
Statue of San Pedro Claver and a young slave boy

 

Modern Art Museum of Cartagena

Opposite the Church of San Pedro Claver is the Modern Art Museum of Cartagena (Museo de Arte Moderno de Cartagena). I’m not typically a fan of modern art museums, but I enjoyed my short visit. Admission to the museum is COP$15,000 (as of March 2024). It’s open daily except Mondays from 11am to 6pm (5pm on Saturdays).

Modern Art Museum of Cartagena, Colombia
Modern Art Museum of Cartagena

There are three galleries on the ground floor of the museum, which is housed in a refurbished 17th century building. The first gallery displayed works of art by Latin American artists.

First gallery at the Modern Art Museum of Cartagena, Colombia
First gallery

The middle gallery was dedicated to works by Colombian artist Enrique Grau (1920-2004), including paintings and sculptures. It was his donation of 1,300 works of art that were used to establish the Modern Art Museum of Cartagena.

Enrique Grau gallery at the Modern Art Museum of Cartagena, Colombia
Enrique Grau gallery
Painting by Enrique Grau
Painting by Enrique Grau
Rita 10:30 A.M. by Enrique Grau (1990)
Rita 10:30 A.M. by Enrique Grau (1990)

The third gallery held impressive paintings by Darío Ortiz, a self-taught Colombian artist born in Ibagué in 1968. This was by far my favorite gallery.

Paintings by Darío Ortiz at the Modern Art Museum of Cartagena, Colombia
Paintings by Darío Ortiz
El moralista y sus hijas by Darío Ortiz (2017) at the Modern Art Museum of Cartagena, Colombia
El moralista y sus hijas by Darío Ortiz (2017)

Upstairs, there was another gallery of sculptures and paintings by Latin American artists as well as a temporary exhibition about the history and culture of the Czech Republic.

Upper gallery at the Modern Art Museum of Cartagena, Colombia
Upper gallery
Sueño amarillo luminoso de una montaña al vivo by Ofelia Rodríguez (1992)
Sueño amarillo luminoso de una montaña al vivo by Ofelia Rodríguez (1992)
La hamaca grande by Vicente Martínez (2001)
La hamaca grande by Vicente Martínez (2001)

In all, I spent about 20 minutes admiring the works. It was a nice escape from the heat and I was surprised that I actually enjoyed it as much as I did.

 

Parque de Bolívar

Walking a couple blocks north from Plaza de San Pedro Claver is Parque de Bolívar. It’s a small square with many trees and benches. There’s a fountain in the center and it’s surrounded by several important buildings. Street vendors usually sit outside selling drinks and snacks, and you’ll often see tourists feeding the pigeons and gawking at the iguanas.

Parque de Bolívar in El Centro, Cartagena, Colombia
Parque de Bolívar

The square was originally named Cathedral Square (Plaza de la Catedral) because the city’s cathedral is on the northeast corner. In 1610, it was renamed the Plaza of the Inquisition (Plaza de la Inquisición).

Fountain in Parque de Bolívar
Fountain

In 1890, bullfights were held in the square until a bull rammed a spectator. Later, on November 11, 1896, an equestrian monument to Simón Bolívar (1783-1830) was unveiled. At that point, the name changed from the Plaza of the Inquisition to Parque de Bolívar.

Statue of Simón Bolívar in Parque de Bolívar in El Centro, Cartagena, Bolívar, Colombia
Statue of Simón Bolívar
Parque de Bolívar in El Centro, Cartagena, Colombia
Parque de Bolívar
A building on Parque de Bolívar
A building on the park

 

Palace of the Inquisition

The former Palace of the Inquisition (Palacio de la Inquisición), one of the most beautiful buildings in Cartagena, sits on the west side of the square. It was built between 1610 and 1770 and was home of the Punishment Tribunal of the Holy Office, where heretics were sentenced to death. The Tribunal was established in Cartagena on March 8, 1610, by royal decree of King Felipe III of Spain, and consisted of two inquisitors, a prosecutor, secretarial employees and sheriffs. The first sentence for heresy was ordered there on February 2, 1614.

Palace of the Inquisition (Cartagena Historical Museum)
Palace of the Inquisition (Cartagena Historical Museum)

On the side of the building is the Window of Denunciation (La Ventana de la Denuncia), where citizens would anonymously accuse others of being Jews, witches, devil worshippers, or non-Catholics. The Tribunal was suspended in 1811 only to be reinstated in 1815. It was completely abolished in 1821 after the city was liberated during the Colombian War of Independence.

Window of Denunciation at the Palace of the Inquisition (Cartagena Historical Museum) in El Centro, Cartagena, Bolívar, Colombia
Window of Denunciation

 

Cartagena Historical Museum

Today, the building hosts the Cartagena Historical Museum (Museo Histórico de Cartagena), which I visited with Marisol. Adult admission is COP$24,000 (as of March 2024) and it’s open daily. While the building itself is beautiful, I wasn’t too impressed with the museum. There were some rooms displaying torture devices used during the Spanish Inquisition and a few rooms upstairs explaining the history of Cartagena. There were also some great views of Parque de Bolívar from balconies attached to those rooms.

Inner courtyard of the Palace of the Inquisition (Cartagena Historical Museum)
Inner courtyard
Torture devices at the Palace of the Inquisition (Cartagena Historical Museum)
Torture devices
Dungeons at the Palace of the Inquisition
Dungeons
Looking down on Parque de Bolívar from the Cartagena Historical Museum in El Centro, Cartagena, Colombia
Looking down on Parque de Bolívar

 

Cathedral of Cartagena

The Cathedral of Cartagena (Catedral de Cartagena) sits on the northeast corner of the square. The full name is the Metropolitan Basilica Cathedral of St. Catherine of Alexandria (Catedral Basílica Metropolitana de Santa Catalina de Alejandría). The cathedral is the seat of the Archbishop of Cartagena de Indias, one of the oldest episcopal sees in the Americas.

Cathedral of Cartagena in El Centro, Cartagena, Bolívar, Colombia
Cathedral of Cartagena

The original cathedral was built between 1535 and 1537 of reeds with a thatched roof behind where the present cathedral stands. It burned down and was replaced by the second cathedral, which was a wooden structure built between 1563 and 1568.

Cathedral of Cartagena
Cathedral of Cartagena

The current Cathedral of Cartagena was designed by Simón González and inspired by cathedrals of Andalusia and the Canary Islands. It was built between 1577 and 1612. The dome and tower were refurbished by French architect Gaston Lelarge (1861-1934) in 1908, while the main portal and cornices are original to the Spanish colonial period.

Nave of the Cathedral of Cartagena
Nave
Wooden carving of the 10th Station of the Cross in the Cathedral of Cartagena
Wooden carving of the 10th Station of the Cross

If you look closely at the exterior of the cathedral on the side facing Parque de Bolívar, you’ll find a sundial. Behind the building is a statue of Pope John Paul II commemorating his visit to the city in 1986.

Sundial on the Cathedral of Cartagena
Sundial
Statue of Pope John Paul II
Statue of Pope John Paul II

 

Cabildo

Across from the cathedral is the Cabildo, which was built in 1676. It sits on Proclamation Plaza (Plaza de la Proclamación) and has impressive arches. The Cabildo is where citizens gathered to endorse Cartagena’s Declaration of Independence from Spain on November 11, 1811. Today, it hosts various cultural events.

Cabildo and Proclamation Plaza
Cabildo and Proclamation Plaza
Cabildo under renovation in 2014
Cabildo under renovation in 2014

 

Zenú Gold Museum

Also on Parque de Bolívar is the Zenú Gold Museum (Museo del Oro Zenú), which tells the history of the indigenous people of the region. Admission is free (as of March 2024) and it’s open daily except Mondays from 9am to 5pm. I visited the museum in a temporary space a block to the west. It reopened in the original building on February 18, 2022.  I’ll update this post when I have a chance to visit the original building.

Zenú Gold Museum in El Centro, Cartagena, Colombia
Zenú Gold Museum
Temporary space of the Zenú Gold Museum
Temporary space
Gold artifacts in the temporary space of the Zenú Gold Museum in El Centro, Cartagena, Colombia
Gold artifacts

 

Portal of the Queens

Finally, on the south end of Parque de Bolívar is the Portal of the Queens (Portal de las Reinas). It consists of tiles with the faces of each Miss Colombia.

Portal of the Queens in El Centro, Cartagena, Bolívar, Colombia
Portal of the Queens

 

Plaza de Santa Teresa

Back on the south end for a moment, Plaza de Santa Teresa is one of the most beautiful square in the Old Town of Cartagena. It’s a photogenic spot where you can stand atop the city walls and admire some beautiful colonial buildings. It’s also a great place to view the dome of the Church of San Pedro Claver. The east side of Plaza de Santa Teresa contains the Caribbean Naval Museum, which is covered in another post.

Plaza de Santa Teresa in El Centro, Cartagena, Colombia
Plaza de Santa Teresa

 

Convent of Santa Teresa

The cloister of the former Convent of Santa Teresa (Convento de Santa Teresa) is on the north side of the square. It was built in the early 17th century and served as a religious building until 1861. In the following years it served as a prison, hospital, police station, factory, and school, until it was finally converted into a luxury hotel. The former church is the hotel’s event center.

Convent of Santa Teresa in El Centro, Cartagena, Colombia
Convent of Santa Teresa

 

Promenade of the Naval Heroes

Alongside the Caribbean Naval Museum is the Promenade of the Naval Heroes (Paseo de los Héroes Navales). It’s situated between two sections of the city walls.

Promenade of the Naval Heroes
Promenade of the Naval Heroes
Promenade of the Naval Heroes
Promenade of the Naval Heroes

The promenade features a statue of Admiral José Padilla (1784-1828). There are also busts of naval heroes from other Latin American countries such as Irish-born Argentine Admiral William (Guillermo) Brown (1777-1857). The section against the Caribbean Naval Museum is lined with cannons.

José Padilla monument at the Promenade of the Naval Heroes
José Padilla monument

 

Parque de la Marina

Just south of Plaza de Santa Teresa is Parque de la Marina, which sits outside the city walls. It’s one of the largest municipal parks in Cartagena.

Parque de la Marina in Cartagena, Colombia
Parque de la Marina

Parque de la Marina was created by landfill as the city expanded. The park is divided into three parts: a monumental section, a large reflecting pool, and a natural area. It’s often used by the Colombian Navy for ceremonies.

Reflecting pool at Parque de la Marina in Cartagena, Colombia
Reflecting pool

A few different monuments can be found within the park. In front of the reflecting pool to the left is a monument dedicated to the naval infantry. In the center is a monument dedicated to Colombian sailors. Finally, to the right is a memorial dedicated to Colombian veterans of the Korean War. It was a gift to Colombia from South Korea. At the north end of the park is another monument.

Naval infantry monument at Parque de la Marina in Cartagena, Colombia
Naval infantry monument
Colombian sailor monument at Parque de la Marina in Cartagena, Colombia
Colombian sailor monument
Korean War memorial at Parque de la Marina in Cartagena, Colombia
Korean War memorial
Monument at Parque de la Marina
Monument

 

Santander Monument

South of the park towards Bocagrande is a roundabout with a monument to Colombian independence hero and former president Francisco de Paula Santander (1792-1840).

Santander monument
Santander monument
Santander monument
Santander monument

 

Union of the Oceans Monument

West of Parque de la Marina is the Union of the Oceans Monument (Monumento Unión de los Océanos). The monument was erected in August 1998 and restored in 2015. It features an anchor from a Spanish ship and another from a Colombian ship. There’s also a text by Gabriel García Márquez (1927-2014).

Union of the Oceans Monument
Union of the Oceans Monument

 

Plaza de Santo Domingo

A couple blocks north is Plaza de Santo Domingo, which is surrounded by several small shops and restaurants. It’s a great place to sit and people watch. Gertrudis, a famous sculpture by Fernando Botero (1932-2023), is located there.

Plaza de Santo Domingo in El Centro, Cartagena, Bolívar, Colombia
Plaza de Santo Domingo
Gertrudis by Fernando Botero
Gertrudis

 

Church of Santo Domingo

The Church of Santo Domingo (Iglesia de Santo Domingo) sits on the west side of the square. It’s the oldest church in the Old Town of Cartagena, completed in 1559 by the Dominicans. Buttresses were added later to support the building.

Church of Santo Domingo in El Centro, Cartagena, Bolívar, Colombia
Church of Santo Domingo
Buttresses of the Church of Santo Domingo in the Old Town of Cartagena, Colombia
Buttresses

The Church of Santo Domingo features a central nave lined with side chapels. The main altar was carved with Italian marble and designed by French architect Gaston Lelarge (1861-1934) in the early 20th century.

Church of Santo Domingo in El Centro, Cartagena, Bolívar, Colombia
Church of Santo Domingo
Main altar of the Church of Santo Domingo in the Old Town of Cartagena, Colombia
Main altar

 

Convent of Santo Domingo

The former Convent of Santo Domingo (Convento de Santo Domingo) sits next door to the church. It was built in the 17th century and was used as a prison in the years after Colombian independence. Today, it houses the Spanish Consulate (Consulado de España) and there’s a small gallery inside.

Spanish Consulate in El Centro, Cartagena, Colombia
Spanish Consulate
Former Convent of Santo Domingo in El Centro, Cartagena, Bolívar, Colombia
Former Convent of Santo Domingo

When I visited, a room near the entrance featured photos of the negative effects of Colombian rebel groups, such as FARC and M-19, on Colombian society.

Photo exhibit in the Spanish Consulate in El Centro, Cartagena, Bolívar, Colombia
Photo exhibit in the Spanish Consulate

 

Calle de la Factoría

Running north of Plaza de Santo Domingo is Calle de la Factoría. In addition to being one of the more photogenic streets in the Old Town of Cartagena, it contains a couple historic buildings.

 

House of the Marquis of Valdehoyos

First is the House of the Marquis of Valdehoyos (Case del Marqués de Valdehoyos). It’s one of the most impressive mansions in the city. Today it’s a branch of the Colombian Chancellery and is used to house important guests visiting Cartagena.

House of the Marquis of Valdehoyos

The house was built in 1765 by the Marquis of Valdehoyos as a residence as well as a trade center. The Marquis willed the house to Josefa Tomasa, who used it as a flour and slave market. In 1825, the house was gifted to General Mariano Montilla (1782-1851) for the important role he played in Colombian independence. Simón Bolívar (1783-1830) stayed in the house in May 1830 on his way to Santa Marta, where he later died.

Door to the House of the Marquis of Valdehoyos

Montilla returned to his home in Venezuela in 1835, and the house was acquired by Pedro Maciá Doménech after a bitter lawsuit. It was sold to the government in 1969 and has been managed by different departments ever since.

 

Bolívar College

Next to the mansion is the Bolívar College (Colegio Mayor de Bolívar), which became the Major University Institution of Cartagena (Institución Universitaria Mayor de Cartagena) in 2020. The college was founded on March 22, 1947, to advance higher education for women in Cartagena.

Bolívar College
Bolívar College

 

House of Alejandro Obregón

At the north end of Calle de la Factoría is the house of Colombian artist Alejandro Obregón (1920-1992). He was born in Barcelona to a Colombian father and Catalan mother. His works have been featured in the collections of major modern art museums around the world. There has been discussion about turning the house into a museum.

House of Alejandro Obregón

 

Carmona Museum

Around the corner on Calle de la Artillería (Carrera 2), across from the city walls is the Carmona Museum (Museo Carmona). It’s a modern art museum displaying the works of Colombian artist and sculptor Edgardo Carmona. Some of his pieces are located in Plaza de San Pedro Claver in El Centro and Plazuela del Pozo in Getsemaní. Admission is free and there’s a café on the property. It was closed when I walked by and is apparently temporarily closed (as of March 2024).

Carmona Museum

 

Plaza de la Merced

Plaza de la Merced is a block east of the north end of Calle de la Factoría. It’s named for the Chapel of La Merced, which was built in 1625 and abandoned during the Colombian War of Independence.

 

Heredia Theatre

One of the most important landmarks in Cartagena is the stunning Heredia Theatre (Teatro Heredia), built between 1906 and 1911 by architect Luis Felipe Jaspe Franco. The theatre was built using the shell of the Chapel of La Merced. It’s officially named Adolfo Mejía Theatre (Teatro Adolfo Mejía) and opened on November 11, 1911.

Heredia Theatre in El Centro, Cartagena, Bolívar, Colombia
Heredia Theatre

The interior of the theatre features stairs made of white Carrara marble shipped from Italy. The mural on the ceiling, by Enrique Grau (1920-2004), represents the nine muses of the arts and sciences. It was added during a restoration that took place in 1988.

Door of the Heredia Theatre
Door
Sculpture outside the Heredia Theatre
Sculpture

 

La Presentación

About a block and a half east on Calle Estanco del Aguardiente is La Presentación House Museum of Arts and Culture (La Presentación Casa Museo de Arte y Cultura). It’s an art gallery and café that also presents music, dance, theatre, and other performances. It’s housed in an aguardiente distillery that was later used as a high school. There’s also a small boutique hotel on site as well. I haven’t had a chance to visit yet.

La Presentación
La Presentación

 

Calle de la Universided

Calle de la Universidad is the location of the University of Cartagena (Universidad de Cartagena), which was founded on October 6, 1827. It’s housed in the Cloister of San Agustín.

 

Román Laboratories

Across the street from the university is Román Laboratories (Laboratorios Román). It was founded in 1835 by Manuel Román, an immigrant from Spain, as the first pharmaceutical company in Colombia.

Román Laboratories
Román Laboratories

 

Students Plaza

A few steps south is Students Plaza (Plaza de los Estudiantes). It’s a small yet attractive plaza across from the university. It’s surrounded by a hotel, restaurants, and cafés.

Students Plaza
Students Plaza

 

San Diego, Old Town of Cartagena

San Diego takes up the eastern ⅓ of the Old Town of Cartagena. It’s generally much quieter and with fewer points of interest, but is still full of beautiful architecture, boutique hotels, and restaurants.

 

Plaza Fernández de Madrid

Plaza Fernández de Madrid is pretty much the border between El Centro and San Diego. It’s one of the more popular squares in the Old Town of Cartagena. During colonial times, slaves and servants used to visit the square to fetch water from the wells located there. Today, it’s surrounded by several lively restaurants and bars.

Plaza Fernández de Madrid in San Diego, Cartagena, Colombia
Plaza Fernández de Madrid
Plaza Fernández de Madrid in San Diego, Cartagena, Colombia
Plaza Fernández de Madrid
Palenquera on Plaza Fernández de Madrid in San Diego, Cartagena, Bolívar, Colombia
Palenquera

 

Statue of José Fernández de Madrid

In the center is a statue of José Fernández de Madrid (1789-1830). He was twice the president of the United Provinces of New Granada, which was a country that seceded from Spain on July 20, 1810, and was reconquered on September 3, 1816. The borders were similar to those of modern Colombia.

José Fernández de Madrid monument at Plaza Fernández de Madrid in San Diego, Cartagena, Colombia
José Fernández de Madrid monument

 

Church of Santo Toribio

The Church of Santo Toribio (Iglesia de Santo Toribio de Mangrovejo), built between 1666 and 1732, is on the northwest corner of Plaza Fernández de Madrid. It was the last church built during the Spanish colonial period. Colombian race car driver Juan Pablo Montoya was married at the church in October 2002.

Church of Santo Toribio in San Diego, Cartagena Colombia
Church of Santo Toribio

 

Plaza de San Diego

Plaza de San Diego is another popular square surrounded by restaurants and bars. It’s a block north of Plaza Férnandez de Madrid. It’s also full of (annoying) vendors selling crafts and other souvenirs.

Plaza de San Diego in San Diego, Cartagena, Bolívar, Colombia
Plaza de San Diego

 

Convent of San Diego

The red building on the east end of the square was once the Convent of San Diego (Convento de San Diego). It was designed by Simón González, who also designed the Cathedral of Cartagena, and built between 1611 and 1625. It now functions as the Bolívar University of Fine Arts and Sciences (Institución Universitaria Bellas Artes y Ciencias de Bolívar).

Convent of San Diego
Convent of San Diego

 

Gabo’s Home

Along the city walls you’ll find the private home of Colombian Nobel Prize winning novelist Gabriel García Márquez (1927-2014). It’s closed to the public.

Home of Gabriel García Márquez
Home of Gabriel García Márquez
Home of Gabriel García Márquez in San Diego, Cartagena, Bolívar, Colombia
Home of Gabriel García Márquez

 

Monument to the Albatrosses

On the other side of the walls across from Gabo’s home is the Monument to the Albatrosses (Monumento a los Alcatraces). It was made by Spanish sculptor Eladio Gil (1929-2011) and installed in 1974. The monument honors the poem The Albatross by Colombian author Daniel Lemaitre (1884-1961), and one of the birds most representative of the city.

Monument to the Albatrosses
Monument to the Albatrosses

 

La Serrezuela Mall

On the eastern end of San Diego is La Serrezuela Mall. It opened in 2019 and surrounds a historic bullring built in 1893. It’s one of the newest additions to the Old Town of Cartagena.

La Serrezuela Mall
La Serrezuela Mall
La Serrezuela Mall
La Serrezuela Mall

In the 1970s, the bullring was converted to a theatre, the Circo-teatro, which was declared a national monument in 1994. It fell into serious disrepair and it was impossible to save the original structure. The reconstruction is a beautiful wooden structure.

Circo-teatro
Circo-teatro
Circo-teatro
Circo-teatro

The mall contains several upscale shops as well as restaurants and cafés. Inside is a large sculpture, The Chronicler, by Colombian artist Alejandro Tobón Rojas. There’s also a fountain on the second level with great views of Castillo San Felipe and La Popa.

The Chronicler at La Serrezuela Mall
The Chronicler
View of Castillo San Felipe and La Popa
View of Castillo San Felipe and La Popa

 

Monument to India Catalina

Just outside the walls to the east of San Diego is the Monument to India Catalina (Monumento a la India Catalina). It’s dedicated to India Catalina (1495-1538), an indigenous woman most likely from the Mokaná community.

Monument to India Catalina in Cartagena, Colombia
Monument to India Catalina

Catalina was abducted in 1509 by Spanish conquistador Diego de Nicuesa (d. 1511). She was sent to Santo Domingo where she was educated as a Spaniard, learned Spanish, and adopted the Catholic faith. She later served as the translator of Pedro de Heredia (c. 1505-1554), the founder of Cartagena, during his conquests in Colombia. Catalina also served as Heredia’s concubine. Her real name is unknown.

Park with the monument to India Catalina in Cartagena, Colombia
Park with the monument to India Catalina

The monument was designed by Spanish artist Eladio Gil (1929-2011) and was unveiled on March 9, 1974. Replicas of the statue are used as awards for the Cartagena International Film Festival (Festival Internacional de Cine de Cartagena de Indias).

Monument to India Catalina in Cartagena, Colombia
Monument to India Catalina
Monument to India Catalina in Cartagena, Colombia
Monument to India Catalina

 

Plaza Joe Arroyo

Finally, although not technically in the San Diego, is Plaza Joe Arroyo. It sits just south of San Diego across Avenida Venezuela in the neighborhood of La Matuna, which separates the Old Town of Cartagena from Getsemaní. The plaza contains a statue dedicated to Cartagena-born Colombian salsa legend Joe Arroyo (1955-2011).

Plaza Joe Arroyo
Plaza Joe Arroyo

 

Christmas in Old Town Cartagena

Christmas is a beautiful season to visit the Old Town of Cartagena. The entire area both inside and outside of Puerta del Reloj is decorated with lights as are some of the squares. On one visit, a floating Christmas tree that changes colors was just offshore from Pegasus Wharf.

Christmas lights inside Puerta del Reloj
Christmas lights inside Puerta del Reloj
Christmas lights outside Puerta del Reloj
Christmas lights outside Puerta del Reloj
Floating Christmas tree in Cartagena, Colombia
Floating Christmas tree
Plaza de la Aduana at Christmas in El Centro, Cartagena, Bolívar, Colombia
Plaza de la Aduana at Christmas

 

Map of the Old Town of Cartagena

Author

Owner of Paisadventure. World traveler. Chicago sports lover. Living in Colombia.

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