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The walls of Cartagena (Las Murallas) are one of the most striking features of this UNESCO World Heritage listed city. They enclose the Old Town districts of El Centro and San Diego and continue around Getsemaní.

Las Murallas (City Walls) of Cartagena, Bolívar, Colombia
City walls

 

Introduction to the Walls of Cartagena

Construction on the walls of Cartagena started in 1586 after an attack by Sir Francis Drake (1540-1596) and they were completed in 1796. The walls were designed by Italian architect Battista Antonelli (1547-1616). These thick stone walls even have cannons placed along them to recreate the authentic feeling of the old Spanish colony.

On top of the city walls of Cartagena, Bolívar, Colombia
On top of the city walls
City walls of Cartagena, Bolívar, Colombia
City walls

The walls used to be right up against the Caribbean Sea but modern necessities called for changes. The area on the outside of the walls was filled in, a road around the old town was built, and a sea of grass now lays where the waves used to crash into the walls.

City walls of Cartagena, Bolívar, Colombia
City walls of Cartagena
City walls of Cartagena, Bolívar, Colombia
City walls of Cartagena

It’s a great experience to walk the perimeter of the city along the walls, and on top of them whenever possible. They offer a fantastic glimpse into the past and give a unique perspective of the city. For this post, I’ll follow the walls of Cartagena in a clockwise direction from the Puerta del Reloj all the way around to Getsemaní. I’ll provide details of each bastion and several photos. Visit the official website for more info.

Looking down a street from the top of the walls of Cartagena, Bolívar, Colombia
Looking down a street from the top of the walls
A ramp on the walls of Cartagena, Bolívar, Colombia
A ramp on the walls
City walls of Cartagena, Bolívar, Colombia
City walls
City walls of Cartagena, Bolívar, Colombia
City walls


 

Puerta del Reloj

We’ll start our tour of the walls of Cartagena with the Puerta del Reloj (Clock Tower Gate). It’s the main gate to the old town of Cartagena and is known by locals as Boca del Puente. It linked the commercial, governmental, and wealthy residential area of El Centro to the slave quarter of Getsemaní by a drawbridge over a moat. The bridge was made of wood and was first built in 1540. It was the only access from Getsemaní to the old town and opens onto Carriage Plaza (Plaza de los Coches).

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

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

The gate was once protected to the right by the Bastion of Apostle Saint Peter (Baluarte San Pedro Apóstol) and to the left by the Bastion of Saint John the Evangelist. The former has since disappeared from the walls of Cartagena.

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

 

Bastion of Saint John the Evangelist

Moving to the left of the Clock Tower Gate is the Bastion of Saint John the Evangelist (Baluarte San Juan Evangelista). It was also known as the Bastion of Accountancy (Baluarte de la Contaduría); the Bastion of Saint John the Baptist (Baluarte San Juan Bautista); the Bastion of Saint Anthony of Padua (Baluarte San Antonio de Padua); and the Bridge Bastion (Baluarte del Puente).

Bastion of Saint John the Evangelist on the Walls of Cartagena, Colombia
Bastion of Saint John the Evangelist
Bastion of Saint John the Evangelist on the Walls of Cartagena, Colombia
Bastion of Saint John the Evangelist

The Bastion of Saint John the Evangelist was built around 1617 by Italian engineer Cristóbal de Roda (1560-1631) and was originally a thin wall. It was strengthened in 1630 by Spanish governor and engineer Francisco de Murga (c. 1570-1636).

Inner wall of the Bastion of Saint John the Evangelist
Inner wall


 

Bastion of Saint Ignatius

Continuing south is the Bastion of Saint Ignatius of Loyola (Baluarte San Ignacio de Loyola). Formerly the Bastion of the Moors (Baluarte de los Moros), it was completed around 1630 under Francisco de Murga continuing the work originally begun by Cristóbal de Roda on a plan designed by de Roda’s uncle, Battista Antonelli (1547-1616). The name was changed to honor Saint Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556), a co-founder of the Jesuit order, due to its proximity to a Jesuit complex.

Bastion of Saint Ignatius on the Walls of Cartagena, Colombia
Bastion of Saint Ignatius
Bastion of Saint Ignatius on the Walls of Cartagena, Colombia
Bastion of Saint Ignatius

The first wall was built on Jesuit land, and the Jesuits ended up building their school and cloister on top, which invalidated its defensive purpose. After a dispute that lasted 30 years, it was decided to move the wall further outside by creating a street between the school and the future wall. The Jesuits agreed to pay for the new construction. It’s easy to spot the first wall making up the foundation of the buildings across the street from the current wall, and there are nice views of the Church of San Pedro Claver and its cloister.

Street and original wall of the Bastion of Saint Ignatius on the Walls of Cartagena, Colombia
Street and original wall of the Bastion of Saint Ignatius
Church of San Pedro Claver and the Jesuit complex from the top of the Bastion of Saint Ignatius
Church of San Pedro Claver and the Jesuit complex from the top of the bastion

The current wall was designed by Spanish engineer Juan de Herrera y Sotomayor (d. 1732) in 1730. He gave it an access ramp and a wide floor with an irregular floorplan. The Bastion of Saint Ignatius was refurbished at the end of the 18th century by Spanish engineer Antonio de Arévalo (1715-1800), and again in 1969 by the Colombian Ministry of Public Works (Ministerio de Obras Públicas).

Cannons on the Bastion of Saint Ignatius
Cannons
Bastion of Saint Ignatius
Bastion of Saint Ignatius

 

Bastion of Saint Francis Xavier

Heading west along the walls of Cartagena is the Bastion of Saint Francis Xavier (Baluarte San Francisco Javier). It was completed around 1630 under Francisco de Murga continuing work originally begun by Cristóbal de Roda.

Bastion of Saint Francis Xavier on the Walls of Cartagena, Colombia
Bastion of Saint Francis Xavier
Bastion of Saint Francis Xavier on the Walls of Cartagena, Colombia
Bastion of Saint Francis Xavier

The Bastion of Saint Francis Xavier was first known as the Basket Bastion (Baluarte de los Cestones) because of the large baskets used in the construction of its foundations. The name was changed to honor Saint Francis Xavier (1506-1552), a co-founder of the Jesuit order, due to its proximity to the Jesuit complex.

Bastion of Saint Francis Xavier
Bastion of Saint Francis Xavier
Street opening at the Bastion of Saint Francis Xavier
Street opening

The bastion was severely damaged during the French Raid on Cartagena in 1697, led by Bernard Desjean, Baron de Pointis (1645-1707). It was rebuilt with a modified plan between 1720 and 1730 by Juan de Herrera y Sotomayor.

Looking north from the Bastion of Saint Francis Xavier
Looking north from the Bastion of Saint Francis Xavier


 

Oldest Sections of the Walls of Cartagena

The Bastions of Saint James, Saint Dominic, and the Holy Cross were the first sections of the walls of Cartagena ever built. They protected the most exposed area of the city, which was the strip of sand that joined it with Bocagrande. They were originally proposed by Italian architect Battista Antonelli (1547-1616) in 1595. Construction on all three bastions started in 1614 under Spanish governor Diego de Acuña and was led by Antonelli’s nephew, Italian engineer Cristóbal de Roda (1560-1631).

Bastion of Saint Dominic
Bastion of Saint Dominic
Looking towards the Bastion of Saint Dominic
Looking towards the Bastion of Saint Dominic
Looking towards the Bastion of Saint James on the Walls of Cartagena, Colombia
Looking towards the Bastion of Saint James

 

Bastion of Saint James

The Bastion of Apostle Saint James (Baluarte Santiago Apóstol) was designed by Cristóbal de Roda, who used the original project drawn up by his uncle as a guide.

Bastion of Saint James
Bastion of Saint James
Bastion of Saint James on the Walls of Cartagena, Colombia
Bastion of Saint James

The bastion was damaged during the French Raid on Cartagena in 1697, led by Bernard Desjean, Baron de Pointis (1645-1707). Spanish engineer Juan de Herrera y Sotomayor (d. 1732) repaired the damage between 1714 and 1719. It’s completely intact except for a section cut away to allow for traffic to flow out of the old town.

Bastion of Saint James
Bastion of Saint James
Opening next to the Bastion of Saint James on the Walls of Cartagena, Colombia
Opening next to the Bastion of Saint James

 

Bastion of Saint Dominic

Just a bit north is the Bastion of Saint Dominic (Baluarte Santo Domingo). It contained a cistern and a space to shelter soldiers. Today, the bastion is a popular place for visitors, complete with a café, cannons, and excellent views.

Bastion of Saint Dominic on the Walls of Cartagena, Colombia
Bastion of Saint Dominic
Panoramic view from the Bastion of Saint Dominic
Panoramic view from the Bastion of Saint Dominic
Cannons on the Bastion of Saint Dominic on the Walls of Cartagena, Colombia
Cannons

The very first stone on the walls of Cartagena was laid at the Bastion of Saint Dominic on September 8, 1614, in the same spot where Sir Francis Drake (1540-1596) attacked the city on February 9-11, 1586. It was completed around 1625 under the governorship of Diego Escobar. The bastion was damaged during the French Raid on Cartagena in 1697 and was repaired by Juan de Herrera y Sotomayor between 1714 and 1718.

Bastion of Saint Dominic
Bastion of Saint Dominic
Café on the Bastion of Saint Dominic
Café

The Bastion of Saint Dominic was also known as the Bastion of Saint Mary (Baluarte Santa María) and the Bastion of Saint Philip (Baluarte San Felipe). The name was later changed to honor Saint Dominic (1170-1221), due to its proximity to a Dominican convent nearby.

Ramp up to the Bastion of Saint Dominic on the Walls of Cartagena, Colombia
Ramp up to the Bastion of Saint Dominic
Walls of the Bastion of Saint Dominic
Walls of the Bastion of Saint Dominic


 

Gate of Saint Dominic

A few steps past the Bastion of Saint Dominic is the Gate of Saint Dominic (Puerta de Santo Domingo. It was opened by Juan de Herrera y Sotomayor in the early 18th century after the walls were damaged during the French Raid on Cartagena in 1697.

Gate of Saint Dominic on the Walls of Cartagena, Colombia
Gate of Saint Dominic
Gate of Saint Dominic on the Walls of Cartagena, Colombia
Gate of Saint Dominic

 

Bastion of the Holy Cross

Finally, the Bastion of the Holy Cross (Baluarte La Santa Cruz), sits further to the north. It was mostly destroyed during the French Raid on Cartagena in 1697.

Ramp up to the Bastion of the Holy Cross on the Walls of Cartagena, Colombia
Ramp up to the Bastion of the Holy Cross
Bastion of the Holy Cross
Bastion of the Holy Cross

Juan de Herrera y Sotomayor started repairs on the bastion at the beginning of the 18th century, but two separate storms in 1713 and 1714 caused it to collapse in several places. He later reinforced the Bastion of the Holy Cross with three bomb-proof vaults and added a store for gunpowder and supplies.

Bastion of the Holy Cross on the Walls of Cartagena, Colombia
Bastion of the Holy Cross
Bastion of the Holy Cross
Bastion of the Holy Cross
Looking towards the Bastion of the Holy Cross on the Walls of Cartagena, Colombia
Looking towards the Bastion of the Holy Cross


 

Marine Wall

After the Bastion of the Holy Cross, there’s a section of the walls of Cartagena stretching all the way to Las Bóvedas and the Bastion of Saint Catherine (Baluarte Santa Catalina). It’s known as the Marine Wall (Muralla de la Marina). Over a period of 150 years, it was destroyed several times both by the sea and by enemy attacks, causing the need for constant reconstruction.

Marine Wall on the Walls of Cartagena, Colombia
Marine Wall
Marine Wall on the Walls of Cartagena, Colombia
Marine Wall

Juan de Herrera y Sotomayor (d. 1732) rebuilt the Marine Wall section in the early 18th century and proposed a breakwater for further protection. This wasn’t realized until 1765, when Spanish engineer Antonio de Arévalo (1715-1800) began work to improve Herrera’s system. The problem was finally solved in 1771 with the completion of the project.

Marine Wall
Marine Wall
Marine Wall
Marine Wall

 

Crossbows Platform

The first major section along the Marine Wall heading in a clockwise direction is the Crossbows Platform (Plataforma de las Ballestas). It was built between 1614 and 1619 by Italian engineer Cristóbal de Roda (1560-1631). The Crossbows Platform was originally a bastion named Saint Charles (Baluarte San Carlos), and was consistently damaged by storms.

Crossbows Platform on the Walls of Cartagena, Colombia
Crossbows Platform
Crossbows Platform
Crossbows Platform

Juan de Herrera y Sotomayor and another Spanish engineer, Alberto Mienson, rebuilt the platform starting in 1721. Antonio de Arévalo modified its appearance during further restoration between 1764 and 1769.

Stairs leading up to the Crossbows Platform
Stairs leading up to the Crossbows Platform
Crossbows Platform on the Walls of Cartagena, Colombia
Crossbows Platform


 

Mercy Bastion

Next is the Mercy Bastion (Baluarte La Merced), which was completed around 1617 by Cristóbal de Roda and destroyed by a “northerner” in 1618. A reconstruction ordered by Spanish governor and engineer Francisco de Murga (c. 1570-1636) was completed between 1629 and 1630.

Stairs leading up to the Mercy Bastion on the Walls of Cartagena, Colombia
Stairs leading up to the Mercy Bastion
Mercy Bastion on the Walls of Cartagena, Colombia
Mercy Bastion

The bastion was constantly battered by the sea and was always need of repairs during the 17th and 18th centuries. Juan de Herrera y Sotomayor restored it between 1721 and 1733. He gave it its current form to mitigate the impact of the sea.

Mercy Bastion
Mercy Bastion
Mercy Bastion
Mercy Bastion

The Mercy Bastion was named for its neighbor, the Convent of Our Lady of Mercy (Nuestra Señora de La Merced). The Heredia Theatre now occupies the site.

Mercy Bastion on the Walls of Cartagena, Colombia
Mercy Bastion
Mercy Bastion
Mercy Bastion

 

Bastion of Saint Clare

Finally, the last bastion on the Marine Wall before Las Bóvedas is the Bastion of Saint Clare (Baluarte Santa Clara). It was built by Cristóbal de Roda between 1617 and 1630, while Francisco de Murga coated the escarpment from 1625 to 1630.

Bastion of Saint Clare
Bastion of Saint Clare
Bastion of Saint Clare
Bastion of Saint Clare

Juan de Herrera y Sotomayor carried out repairs on the bastion between 1714 and 1719. It was later destroyed by a series of storms and strengthened in 1742 by Spanish engineer Juan Bautista Mac Evan (d. 1752). The bastion was not fully repaired until 1761, when Antonio de Arévalo modified its appearance by destroying the right flank and connecting it to what later became Las Bóvedas with a ramp.

Bastion of Saint Clare
Bastion of Saint Clare
Looking down the ramp connecting the Bastion of Saint Clare to Las Bóvedas on the Walls of Cartagena, Colombia
Looking down the ramp connecting the Bastion of Saint Clare to Las Bóvedas

The Bastion of Saint Clare was named for the nearby Convent of Saint Clare of Assisi (Convento de Santa Clara de Asís).

Bastion of Saint Clare
Bastion of Saint Clare
Sentry box on the Bastion of Saint Clare on the Walls of Cartagena, Colombia
Sentry box


 

Las Bóvedas

After the Marine Wall, the walls of Cartagena continue with Las Bóvedas. The building is attached to the Bastion of Saint Clare to the south via a ramp and the Bastion of Saint Catherine to the north via the rooftop. Las Bóvedas contains 23 bomb-proof vaults and was built on a plan designed by Spanish engineer Antonio de Arévalo (1715-1800). The arched portal was completed in 1798.

Las Bóvedas on the Walls of Cartagena, Colombia
Las Bóvedas
Under the portal of Las Bóvedas
Under the portal

Las Bóvedas was originally built as a garrison and storehouse between 1789 and 1795. In the 19th century, it was used as a dungeon. During high tide, prisoners found themselves up to their knees in seawater.

Las Bóvedas on the Walls of Cartagena, Colombia
Las Bóvedas
Las Bóvedas on the Walls of Cartagena, Colombia
Las Bóvedas

Today, Las Bóvedas is one of the most visited buildings in Cartagena. Its stalls are now used as a souvenir and craft market. You can find just about any Colombian souvenir here, but don’t forget to bargain!

On the rooftop of Las Bóvedas on the Walls of Cartagena, Colombia
On the rooftop
On the rooftop of Las Bóvedas
On the rooftop

 

Bastion of Saint Catherine

The Bastion of Saint Catherine (Baluarte Santa Catalina) sits at the northernmost section of the walls of Cartagena. It was designed in 1595 by Italian architect Battista Antonelli (1547-1616). Construction began around 1625 under Antonelli’s nephew, Italian engineer Cristóbal de Roda (1560-1631), who modified the design by increasing its size.

Ramp up the Bastion of Saint Catherine
Ramp up the Bastion of Saint Catherine
Inner wall of the Bastion of Saint Catherine
Inner wall of the Bastion of Saint Catherine

Spanish governor and engineer Francisco de Murga (c. 1570-1636) wasn’t happy with the design. He took over construction in 1631 and oversaw it until his death in 1636. He extended the fortification with moats and ravelins. The bastion was completed in 1638.

Bastion of Saint Catherine
Bastion of Saint Catherine
Sentry box on the Bastion of Saint Catherine
Sentry box

Like the rest of the Marine Wall, the Bastion of Saint Catherine was plagued by damage from storms and repairs were constant. It was also damaged during the French Raid on Cartagena in 1697, led by Bernard Desjean, Baron de Pointis (1645-1707).

Bastion of Saint Catherine
Bastion of Saint Catherine
Looking towards the Bastion of Saint Catherine
Looking towards the Bastion of Saint Catherine
Outer wall of the Bastion of Saint Catherine and Las Bóvedas on the Walls of Cartagena, Colombia
Outer wall of the Bastion of Saint Catherine and Las Bóvedas

Spanish engineer Juan de Herrera y Sotomayor (d. 1732) repaired the damage starting in 1719. He also built a spur to act as a sea wall, protecting the bastion and the entire Marine Wall from the force of the sea. Antonio de Arévalo enhanced the repairs around the 1760s. Most of the bastion is intact, with only a small section being demolished at the end of the 19th century.

Spur off the Bastion of Saint Catherine on the Walls of Cartagena, Colombia
Spur off the Bastion of Saint Catherine
Looking down the spur off the Bastion of Saint Catherine
Looking down the spur
Spur off the Bastion of Saint Catherine on the Walls of Cartagena, Colombia
Spur off the Bastion of Saint Catherine


 

Storage Vaults

Before arriving at the Bastion of Saint Luke from the Bastion of Saint Catherine, there are two doors leading to storage vaults. The first was used to store gunpowder and the second is listed as Vault #1 (Bóveda #1).

Gunpowder store
Gunpowder store
Vault #1
Vault #1

 

Bastion of Saint Luke

Just past the doors is the ramp leading up to the Bastion of Saint Luke (Baluarte San Lucas). It was used together with the Bastion of Saint Catherine to defend the city from the northwest.

Bastion of Saint Luke on the Walls of Cartagena, Colombia
Bastion of Saint Luke
Looking towards the Bastion of Saint Catherine from the Bastion of Saint Luke on the Walls of Cartagena, Colombia
Looking towards the Bastion of Saint Catherine from the Bastion of Saint Luke

The Bastion of Saint Luke was designed in 1595 by Italian architect Battista Antonelli (1547-1616). Construction began around 1617 under Antonelli’s nephew, Italian engineer Cristóbal de Roda (1560-1631), who modified the design by increasing its size.

Ramp up to the Bastion of Saint Luke
Ramp up to the Bastion of Saint Luke
Ramp up to the Bastion of Saint Luke
Ramp up to the Bastion of Saint Luke
Bastion of Saint Luke
Bastion of Saint Luke

Spanish governor and engineer Francisco de Murga (c. 1570-1636) wasn’t happy with the design and believed the Italian ideas were obsolete. He took over construction in 1631 and oversaw it until his death in 1636. The bastion was completed in 1638 and a pincer was added in 1645.

Sentry box on the Bastion of Saint Luke on the Walls of Cartagena, Colombia
Sentry box
Bastion of Saint Luke
Bastion of Saint Luke
Bastion of Saint Luke
Bastion of Saint Luke

The Bastion of Saint Luke was damaged during the French Raid on Cartagena in 1697, led by Bernard Desjean, Baron de Pointis (1645-1707). Spanish engineer Juan de Herrera y Sotomayor (d. 1732) repaired the damage starting in 1719, and Spanish engineer Antonio de Arévalo (1715-1800) carried out further restoration around the 1760s.

Looking south from the Bastion of Saint Luke
Looking south from the Bastion of Saint Luke
Bastion of Saint Luke on the Walls of Cartagena, Colombia
Bastion of Saint Luke
Looking north towards the Bastion of Saint Luke on the Walls of Cartagena, Colombia
Looking north towards the Bastion of Saint Luke


 

Bastion of Saint Peter Martyr

Walking south along the walls is the Bastion of Saint Peter Martyr (Baluarte San Pedro Mártir). Construction began under Cristóbal de Roda and Francisco de Murga around 1630. It wasn’t completed until 1683 by Spanish engineer Juan de Pando y Estrada. He joined it to the Bastion of Saint Michael of Chambacú on the walls of Getsemaní via a stockade.

Looking towards the Bastion of Saint Peter Martyr on the Walls of Cartagena, Colombia
Looking towards the Bastion of Saint Peter Martyr
Bastion of Saint Peter Martyr
Bastion of Saint Peter Martyr

Juan de Herrera y Sotomayor reconstructed the bastion between 1721 and 1730. It was partially destroyed at the beginning of the 20th century as well as the entire section of the city walls of Cartagena leading back to the Puerta del Reloj. Also destroyed were the Bastion of Saint Andrew (Baluarte San Andrés), the Bastion of Saint Paul (Baluarte San Pablo), and the Bastion of Apostle Saint Peter (Baluarte San Pedro Apóstol).

Bastion of Saint Peter Martyr
Bastion of Saint Peter Martyr
Bastion of Saint Peter Martyr
Bastion of Saint Peter Martyr
Outer wall of the Bastion of Saint Peter Martyr
Outer wall


 

Walls of Getsemaní

The walls of Getsemaní protected the Getsemaní district. All five bastions on the walls were built starting in 1631 by Spanish governor and engineer Francisco de Murga (c. 1570-1636). They were initially detached from the rest of the walls of Cartagena.

 

Parque San Miguel de Chambacú

Parque San Miguel de Chambacú is a pleasant little space with some grassy areas, flowers, and trees running along a channel. This is the space between the Bastion of Saint Peter Martyr and the Bastion of Saint Michael of Chambacú on the walls of Getsemaní.

Parque San Miguel de Chambacú
Parque San Miguel de Chambacú
Parque San Miguel de Chambacú
Parque San Miguel de Chambacú

 

Bastion of Saint Michael of Chambacú

First, at the northern end of the walls of Getsemaní is the Bastion of Saint Michael of Chambacú (Baluarte San Miguel de Chambacú). It was completed in 1632 and was also known as the Bastion of Saint Michael of Gamboa (Baluarte San Miguel de Gamboa).

Bastion of Saint Michael of Chambacú on the Walls of Getsemaní, Colombia
Bastion of Saint Michael of Chambacú

In 1683, Spanish engineer Juan de Pando y Estrada joined the Bastion of Saint Michael of Chambacú to the Bastion of Saint Peter Martyr on the main walls of Cartagena by building a stockade. It had an access door allowing small boats to enter a canal.

Bastion of Saint Michael of Chambacú
Bastion of Saint Michael of Chambacú

During restoration in 1731, Spanish engineer Juan de Herrera y Sotomayor (d. 1732) went back to the original plan but enlarged the bastion’s proportions. Around 1893, the Bastion of Saint Michael of Chambacú was partially destroyed to allow for the passage of a railway line.


 

Bastion of Saint Teresa

Heading south is the Bastion of Saint Teresa (Baluarte Santa Teresa). It was completed in 1633 with the help of master builder Lucas Báez (b. 1560). The bastion protected the left flank of the Half Moon Gate (Puerta de la Media Luna), which provided the only land access to the entire city. It’s curved and has a Dutch-inspired design.

Stairs up to the Bastion of Saint Teresa on the Walls of Getsemaní, Colombia
Stairs up to the Bastion of Saint Teresa
Bastion of Saint Teresa on the Walls of Getsemaní, Colombia
Bastion of Saint Teresa

The Bastion of Santa Teresa was damaged during the French Raid on Cartagena in 1697, led by Bernard Desjean, Baron de Pointis (1645-1707). Spanish engineer Juan de Herrera y Sotomayor (d. 1732) repaired the damage in 1732 and added terracing.

Bastion of Saint Teresa
Bastion of Saint Teresa
Looking north from the Bastion of Saint Teresa
Looking north from the Bastion of Saint Teresa

 

Bastion of Saint Barbara

The Bastion of Saint Barbara (Baluarte Santa Bárbara) protected the right flank of the Half Moon Gate. Like the Bastion of Saint Teresa, it was completed in 1633 with the help of Lucas Báez and also has a Dutch-inspired design.

Bastion of Saint Barbara
Bastion of Saint Barbara
Bastion of Saint Barbara on the Walls of Getsemaní, Colombia
Bastion of Saint Barbara

The Bastion of Saint Barbara was damaged during the French Raid in 1697 and was repaired in 1732 by Juan de Herrera y Sotomayor. It provides great views of Castillo San Felipe and La Popa.

Bastion of Saint Barbara
Bastion of Saint Barbara
Bastion of Saint Barbara on the Walls of Getsemaní, Colombia
Bastion of Saint Barbara
View of Castillo San Felipe and La Popa
View of Castillo San Felipe and La Popa


 

Bastion of Saint Joseph

Next is the Bastion of Saint Joseph (Baluarte San José), which has a Dutch-inspired design. It was repaired in 1732 by Juan de Herrera y Sotomayor.

Bastion of Saint Joseph on the Walls of Getsemaní, Colombia
Bastion of Saint Joseph
Bastion of Saint Joseph
Bastion of Saint Joseph

Spanish engineer Lorenzo de Solís (1693-1761) assessed the bastion in 1753 and reported it was in poor condition. Another Spanish engineer, Antonio de Arévalo (1715-1800), carried out repairs that were completed around 1770.

Bastion of Saint Joseph
Bastion of Saint Joseph
Stairs up to the Bastion of Saint Joseph on the Walls of Getsemaní, Colombia
Stairs up to the Bastion of Saint Joseph
Ramp up to the Bastion of Saint Joseph
Ramp up to the Bastion of Saint Joseph

 

Redoubt Bastion

Finally, on the southern end of the walls of Getsemaní is the Redoubt Bastion (Baluarte El Reducto), which was completed by Lucas Báez in 1633. Its purpose was to protect the entrance to the port and reinforce the defenses of Fort San Sebastian of Pastelillo (Fuerte San Sebastián del Pastelillo). Francisco de Murga wanted it built not only for defensive purposes, but also to prevent contraband and undeclared merchandise from entering the city.

Redoubt Bastion
Redoubt Bastion

The Redoubt Bastion was built based on a design by Italian engineer Cristóbal de Roda (1560-1631) and is similar to a medieval tower. It was separated from the rest of the walls when the Román Bridge (Puente Román) was built in the early 20th century. The Redoubt Bastion was also known as the Bastion of Saint Lazarus (Baluarte San Lázaro) and the Bastion of Saint Lawrence (Baluarte San Lorenzo).

Redoubt Bastion on the Walls of Getsemaní, Colombia
Redoubt Bastion
Redoubt Bastion on the Walls of Getsemaní, Colombia
Redoubt Bastion

 

Map of the Walls of Cartagena

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

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