Cartagena, Colombia

For other places of the same name, see Cartagena

House of Teresita Román de Zurek and family

Sunset in Big Mouth Beaches

Big Mouth skyline

Cartagena (pronounced in Spanish; the usual English pronunciation is or ), formally known as Cartagena of Indies (Cartagena de Indias), is a large city seaport on the north coast of Colombia. It has a population of roughly 1,075,000 (2006). Founded in 1533 by Don Pedro de Heredia, and named after the port of Cartegena in Spain's Murcia region, it was a major center of early Spanish settlement in the Americas, and continues to be an economic hub as well as a popular tourist destination.

History

Cartagena was founded in 1533 by Pedro de Heredia, in the area where the Caribbean Calamarí people lived, their name meaning 'crab'. This native population was part of a native tribe called the Mocanáes; Spanish accounts describe them as fierce and warlike, and point out that even women fought on a par with men.

A few years after it had been founded, the Spaniards designed a defense plan in which the main strategy was the construction of a walled military fortress to protect the city against the plundering of English, Dutch and French pirates.

Despite the precautions, the city was attacked many times. In 1551 the French pirate Roberto Baal forced Governor Pedro de Heredia to flee and to give him gold to avoid being at the mercy of the invaders. In 1559, the Frenchman Martín Cote also dominated the city. He took huge plunder in spite of cacique Maridalo's resistance. Another pirate attack was that of Francis Drake, who disembarked at night and took the city at dawn; he forced the inhabitants to take refuge in the neighboring village of Turbaco, burned the houses and destroyed a nave of the Cathedral. Drake forced the authorities to pay him 107.000 ducats and took some jewelry and 80 artillery pieces. And in 1568, the Englishman John Hawkins besieged the city for seven days because the governor Marín de las Alas did not want to carry out a commercial fair in the city; Hawkins could not subjugate the city.

In order to resist and protect from these attacks, during the 17th century the Spanish Crown hired the services of prominent European military engineers to run the construction of fortresses, which are nowadays one of the clearest signs of identity.

Cartagena was a slave port; Cartagena and Veracruz (México) were the only cities authorized to trade with black people. The first slaves arrived with Pedro de Heredia and they worked as cane cutters to open roads, in the desecration of tombs of the aboriginal population of Sinu, and in the construction of buildings and fortresses. The agents of the Portuguese company Cacheu distributed human 'cargos' from Cartagena for mine exploitation in Venezuela, the West Indies, the Nuevo Reino de Granada and the Viceroyalty of Perú.

On February 5th, 1610, the Catholic Monarchs established from Spain the Inquisition Holy Office Court in Cartagena de Indias by a Royal Decree issued by King Philip II. The Inquisition Palace, finished in 1770, is still there with its original features of colonial times. When Cartagena declared its complete independence from Spain on November 11th, 1811, the inquisitors were urged to leave the city. The Inquisition operated again after the Reconquest in 1815, but it disappeared definitely when Spain surrendered six years later before the patriotic troops led by Simón Bolívar. During its two centuries of existence, the court carried out twelve autos-da-fé, 767 defendants were punished and six of them were burned at the stake.

In colonial times, the Spaniards also built a series of constructions and fortresses to defend the city, such as San Sebastián de Pastelillo Fort, in Manga neighborhood, and the Castillo San Felipe de Barajas, a large fortress named in honor of Spain's King Philip IV. In the 18th century, the Vaults were constructed by the Spanish engineer Antonio de Arévalo. Outside the city, San Fernando and San José forts were located strategically at the entrance of the bay to entrench the pirate vessels that attacked the city.

The city is the main host of the 2006 Central American and Caribbean Games.

Metropolitan area

Northern area

In this area you will find the Rafael Núñez International Airport, in the neighborhood of Crespo, only ten minutes away from downtown or the old part of the city and fifteen minutes away from the modern area. It must be said that this large area is that with the greatest long-term urban development. Here you will find the majestic Coralia Américas Hotel, and several educational institutions.

If you decide you'd like to relive the history of Cartagena, go to the Walled City or Corralito de Piedra, where you will find four sectors, each one with a peculiar story to tell: San Diego, La Matuna, Getsemaní and Santo Domingo.

Downtown

Downtown is undoubtedly the heart of the city and the most evident testimony of its history. It has a varied architecture, mainly of a colonial style, but there are also republican and Italian style buildings, such as the Cathedral's bell tower.

The official entrance to downtown is through Torre del Reloj (tower of the clock), which comes out onto Plaza de los Coches (carriages square). A few steps from there you will find Custom Square, next to the mayor's office, and nearby is Plaza San Pedro Claver, and his namesake's church, as well as Modern Art Museum.

Further on, you will find Plaza Bolívar and the Palace of the Inquisition to one side. If you are interested in knowing more about Cartagena's history, you can do in-depth research in the office of the Historical Archive. In addition, across from here you will find Gold Museum, which contains the history of the Sinú, an ancient native people. Next to the museum you'll find Government Palace, where the Governor of the Department works. Across from the palace you'll see Cartagena's Cathedral, which dates back to the 16th century.

There is another religious relic that you should take time to admire: Santo Domingo Church, in front of Plaza Santo Domingo, which was recently decorated with the sculpture Mujer Reclinada (reclining woman), a gift from the renowned Colombian artist Fernando Botero.

You should not forget to visit Heredia Theater, an architectural jewel located in front of Plaza de la Merced. A few meters from here you'll find Calle Factoría; on it is the Marquis of Valdehoyos House, where Historical Photographic Library is housed.

A little bit further on, is Augustinian Fathers Convent, where University of Cartagena operates. This University is a higher education center, opened to the public more than 120 years ago. Don't forget to visit Claustro Santa Teresa, which has been remodeled into a Charleston Hotel, a Colombian hotel chain. It has its own square, protected by the San Francisco Bastion.

San Diego

It was named after San Diego Convent, nowadays the Beaux Arts School Building. In front of it you will find Convent of the Nuns of the Order of Saint Claire, nowadays the beautiful Hotel Santa Clara. In the surrounding area you will find Santo Toribio Church, the last church built in the metropolis, and next to it, Fernández of Madrid Square, in honor of Cartagena's hero José Fernández de Madrid, whose statue can be seen here.

Inside the Old City, you have to go to Las Bóvedas (the vaults), a construction attached to the walls in Santa Catalina Bastion. From the top of this construction you will be able to view the fascinating Caribbean Sea.

The Matuna

The Matuna is the commercial and financial area par excellence in the city. Here you can also find affordable hotels, like Saint Philip Hotel, and affordable restaurants with good service.

Getsemaní neighborhood

This is one of the most representative neighborhoods in Cartagena. African people who were brought as slaves used to live here. Centenary Park is the most prominent place in this area; built in 1911, it commemorates a century of independence. In this very same area you will find Cartagena's Convention Center, Third Order Church and San Francisco Cloister. You will also see San Roque and of the Trinity churches, in the square with the same name. Note that the entirety of the Old City has the same architectural styles as the area surrounded by The Walls.

Bocagrande

Bocagrande (Big Mouth) is the most modern area of the city, with many hotels and restaurants. It forms part of a land extension delimited by Cartagena Bay to the east and the Caribbean Sea to the west, where you will find The Litte Lake and Big Castle, two renowned neighborhoods. Its particular appeal is the beaches and nightlife. All over Avenida Saint Martin, which is the backbone of the area, you will find several business premises, restaurants and hotels.

Geography

Location

Cartagena faces the Caribbean Sea to the west. To the south is the Cartagena Bay, which has two entrances: Small Mouth in the south, and Big Mouth in the north. Cartagena is located at 10°25' North, 75°32' West (10.41667, -75.5333).1

Climate

Due to Cartagena's tropical location, the climate changes very little, with an average high of 31 °C (88 °F) and an average low of 24 °C (75 °F) throughout the year. Cartagena also averages around 90% humidity, with a rainy season typically in October. Cartagena receives about 1000 mm (40 inches) of rain a year.