Cartagena
“colorful and alive”
The city of Cartagena de Indias (Cartagena of the Indies) takes its name from the city of Cartagena in Spain.
Cartagena de Indias
Founded in 1533, Cartagena played a significant role during colonial times due to its strategic location in the Caribbean and South America as the port where resources were exported and slaves imported.
And it was all yellow
Cartagena is one of the few remaining walled cities in the world. With a total length of 11 km, its walls have withstood pirate attacks, enemy invasions and fierce storms. Cartagena’s walls and fortress are considered among the most complete in South America.
Brick by brick
Cartagena was often the target of English and Dutch pirates, such as Francis Drake (1572) and Laurens de Graaf (1683) respectively.
A pirate’s life for me
Long gone are the days of pirates. Nowadays you can enjoy a boat ride in the bay or sail to nearby islands with music and drinks.
All aboard!
Definitively a must when visiting Cartagena.
Sunset lover
Cartagena is full of beautiful architecture in its old city center. Wood railing balconies go back to colonial times, while those made from masonry to republic times (i.e., post-independence).
Balconies
Cartagena is full of rooftop bars in the old city center making them the perfect place for some drinks while enjoying the view of the city at night.
When the sun goes down
Even at night the city is filled with lights and music that will make you dance in the streets.
Night time
From colorful buildings to paintings in the streets, from dancey clubs to street musicians, Cartagena is magic for the eyes and party for the ears.
Color and sounds
Held every year in March, this is the oldest film festival in Latin America. Around 140 films are presented during the festival, many of them being premiered. Awards are also given to the best films and TV shows.
Definitivamente es cine
Built in 1911 with the name Teatro Municipal, its name was changed in 1933 in commemoration of the city’s 400th anniversary. Four Greek muses of art and music stand in the facade, namely, Thalia, Terpsichore, Euterpe, and Calliope.
It’s show time!
This square is filled with street musicians, shops and a sexy statue by Botero. More on Botero in the Medellin section.
Botero
This yellow church was the first in Cartagena and one of the first in the New Kingdom of Granada.
Take me to church
The touristic area of Cartagena is made up of three different parts: the old city center, the Getsemani neighborhood, and Bocagrande, which is full of touristic resorts, restaurants, and clubs.
Blue skies
In Cartagena you will find lots of seafood. The quintessential of all dishes in the Colombian Caribbean is the mojarra frita (on the left side). This dish includes a fried mojarra (hence the name, duh!), coconut rice, patacones, and salad. It may not be the most aesthetic dish, but I guarantee it’s delicious.
For foodies
Exquisite and popular side dish in all of Colombia, patacones are made by double frying slices of plantain.
And a side of patacones
What’s better than coconut rice? Coconut rice with shrimp, of course! Add some thin slices of fried plantains on the side and you have the perfect dish.
Nice rice
Another tasty option for seafood is pulpo (octopus).
Here comes the kraken
Literally “crazy coconut”, this cocktail is served in a real coconut and contains rum, tequila, vodka, lemon juice, and coconut cream.
Let’s get loco
In Colombia it’s common to drink freshly-made juice for lunch and dinner. Juice is made from several different fruits, the most popular being mora (blackberry), lulo, and, here pictured, maracuyá (passion fruit).
That’s juicy
Of course, there’s also lemonade, what did you think?!
If life gives you lemons…
In colonial times, the amount of metal knobs on the door front of a house represented the level of prestige and power held by its owners.
Knocking on heaven’s door
Just beautiful, isn’t it? Until next time, Cartagena.