During the 16th and 17th centuries, Cartagena, Colombia was one of the most important ports in the Spanish Empire, funneling slave labor into the new world and riches (gold and emeralds, tobacco, sugar cane, and coffee beans) out.
The Palenqueras of Cartagena Cartagena, Colombia is full of eye-popping images that can steal the breath straight from any visitor’s mouth. Ornate Spanish colonial architecture dripping with tropical flowers, the majestic fortified wall around the Old City presiding over the…
“The Greatest Colombian Who Ever Lived” One of the most influential writers of our time was born in Colombia at the turn of the century and—if not for his opinionated and eccentric grandparents—may have wound up a lawyer. Commonly referred…
The Fanciful Door Knockers of Cartagena Colombia Do you know the story behind the beautiful door knockers of Cartagena, Colombia? These unique icons (known in Spanish as aldabas) are more than just quirks of the Spanish Colonial Architecture you’ll find…
Cartagena’s Historic Performing Arts Venue Teatro Heredia (Heredia Theater) is the premiere center for the performing arts in Cartagena. Architects infused Caribbean flair into Classic Italian style to create a venue that represents both the elegance of the Old World…
Sir Francis Drake’s Legacy in Cartagena de Indias The fifteen hundreds were a contentious time in The New World with Spain and England butting heads in battles by proxy in places like Cartagena de Indias prior to declaring all-out war…
Pedro de Heredia Founder of Cartagena Pedro de Heredia, the founding father of Cartagena, Colombia, was a controversial historical character with a colorful background and a tendency to rub his contemporaries the wrong way and was not one for etiquette…
Iglesia de San Pedro Claver The Iglesia de San Pedro Claver (or the Cathedral of Saint Peter Claver) is an ornate Catholic church in the heart of Cartagena’s historic old Walled City. The building is dedicated to a 17th century…
Simón Bolívar: The Great Liberator of Latin America Simón Bolívar born Simón José Antonio de la Santísima Trinidad Bolívar y Palacios on 24 July, 1783, is a national hero to millions of Central and South American people who, quite literally,…
The Plaza de Bolivar in Cartagena Colombia This cozy, shaded square sits in the heart of Cartagena’s historic Walled City and is a haven for travelers and locals alike. There are plenty of benches and places to sit under the…
Colonial Architecture of Cartagena Cartagena’s rich history and heritage shines through in its beautiful architecture, which has become one of the main attributes of this charming Colombian town. Located on the southern coast of the Caribbean Sea, Cartagena’s history dates…
