Cartagena District

Welcome, travelers and students of the world, to the sun drenched shores of Cartagena de Indias, pronounced car tah heh nah. We begin our comprehensive journey standing before the magnificent Torre del Reloj, the iconic Clock…

Having passed through the cool shadows of the clock tower arches, we now emerge into the blinding sunlight of the Plaza de los Coches, or the Plaza of the Carriages. Immediately dominating the center of this triangular square is…

As we navigate deeper into the labyrinth of narrow, perfectly preserved streets, the true architectural splendor of the historic center reveals itself. This area is a masterclass in Spanish colonial urban planning. …

Our walking route now brings us to the expansive and lively Plaza Santo Domingo, arguably the most popular and romantic square within the walled city. The plaza takes its name from the imposing Church of Santo Domingo that…

We now ascend the gentle stone ramps to walk upon the very crown of the city: the massive defensive ramparts. Stretching for over eleven kilometers, these imposing walls were an incredible feat of colonial engineering,…

Descending from the stone ramparts and stepping just outside the protective perimeter of the old walls, we enter the dense, shaded canopy of Centenario Park. This park serves as a vital green lung for the bustling urban center,…

We now cross the busy thoroughfare to enter Getsemaní, pronounced het seh mah nee. Once a fiercely independent, working class neighborhood, this district has undergone a profound revitalization over the past decade, transforming…

As our walking tour concludes on the edge of the Getsemaní district, we look out across the water channel toward the imposing silhouette of the Castillo San Felipe de Barajas. This monumental, seventeenth century fortress…