Cartagena – a city on the northern coast of Colombia, whose colonial walled city and fortress were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984. Hard to believe as one sails into the Bay and sees the many modern high rises – 42 of them.
The Bay of Cartagena de Indias with the historic center of the city in the background.
Columbia – just like most of the Central American countries visited in the last week – was discovered by the Spanish (that good old Christopher Columbus!!) in 1503. It is here that the Spaniards built the greatest fortress ever built in any of their colonies. The original fort was constructed between 1639 and 1657 on top of San Lazaro Hill to protect the city from pirates. In 1762 extensive expansion was undertaken, and the result is the current bastion. Numerous attempts to storm the fort were mounted, but it was never penetrated.
The Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas – Come and get me if you dare!!
Lots of gun emplacements.
An extensive system of tunnels is connected underground to distribute provisions and facilitate evacuation. They were all constructed in such a way as to make it possible to hear footsteps of an approaching enemy and some were constructed with small alcoves every few feet where they could hide and ambush the enemy as they passed through.
LET ME OUT OF HERE!!!
The ‘crew’ high above the city – thanks goodness there was a breeze. .
Weird to see the high-rises of the city over the towers at the very top of the castle.
The old walled city is close by and is quite colorful with varied architecture from the colonial style to the republican and Italian style of the Cathedral’s bell tower – –
Wandering into the historic downtown area of Cartagena on colorful streets.
There are many plazas in the walled city – typically surrounded by elegant colonial buildings with lovely balconies. Shaded outdoor cafes also line the streets. Plaza Santo Domingo is no exception. It is home to the Santo Domingo Church and to the sculpture Mujer Reclinada (Reclining Woman), a gift from the renowned Colombian artist Fernando Botero – –
Mixed use building with restaurants and shops on the ground level and condos above.
Reclining Woman – it is good luck to rub the breasts (HA!).
Palenquera woman with typical dress sells fruit on the streets of Cartagena, Colombia. Palenqueras are an african ethnic group in the north of South America
Cathedral of Santa Catalina – elaborate Italian style – –
— the inside is much simpler.
Examples of the different layers uncovered during the restoration.
Cartagena provided a wonderful day of sightseeing, shopping and a brief respite for a scrumptious lunch with a couple of locals – –
We stopped long enough to have a delicious lunch in the El Baron Bar.
One last cathedral – which proved to be quite moving as they hang photos of the mothers of sons and daughters slain during the drug wars of the 80’s during the month of April each year – –
Quite a moving sight.
And so ended day 13 of our cruise and a good bye was said to Cartagena, Colombia and another UNESCO World Heritage Site.
E & G – awed yet again;-)
Elizabeth & Gary's Magic Bus Tour 