The Old City is the Place to Be Planning a vacation to Cartagena? Cartagena’s Old City is the place to stay. Why? It offers a unique vacation experience unlike anything you’ll find anywhere else! Sure, the beach high-rises in the Boca Grande area are nice but you can book four walls and an air conditioner anywhere. Don’t you want something with a…
Cartagena’s Palacio de la Gobernacion One of the things that entice so many people to vacation in Cartagena is the gorgeous Spanish Colonial architecture—bright colors, intricate arches, open-air plazas. One of the best examples is the Palacio de la Gobernacion —or Governor’s Palace. The building houses the current government in Bolivar, Colombia but historically it was the residence of the governor of…
Cartagena's Fortified Old City Cartagena was once one of the most important cities in the Spanish Empire. With billions of dollars worth of gold, gems, exotic cash crops, and slave labor flowing through the city it was a ripe target for pirates and privateers like Sir Francis Drake. It’s no wonder then that the empire would spend as much money as they…
Spanish Colonialism's Indelible Mark on Central and Southern America 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. As such, the port of Cartagena, Colombia, (founded in 1533) became home to some of…
Castillo San Felipe de Barajas The massive Castillo San Felipe de Barajas sits atop the Hill of San Lázaro, overlooking Cartagena de Indias as it has done for centuries. Now instead of Spanish soldiers and crack-shot gunners defending the harbor and city from pirates and rival empires, the fort is full of travelers searching out the rich history of this Caribbean seaport…
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 back to the 16th Century when the city was a bustling hub of the Spanish empire. Playing the role of an inquisition…