About Cartagena
Cartagena is fast progressing into the premier investment and tourism destination for Latin America.
Originally named Cartagena de Indias. This Caribbean city has a long and varied colonial history as one of the most important cities of the Caribbean, it has been named a UNESCO World Heritage site. Whether one is looking for excellent world-class tourism, fantastic dining and entertainment, white sand beaches, or three centuries of colonial history Cartagena has something for everyone.
Three Hundred Years of Colonial History
Founded by Pedro de Heredia in 1533, Cartagena was the second city colonized in South America by Spanish explorers and quickly became the most valuable city in the Spanish colonial empire. With its ideal topography, the Spaniards quickly developed this settlement into their principal port and extraction point for the riches they took out of South America. Soon after Cartagena’s inauguration, English, Dutch, Portuguese and French pirates took note of the cities wealth and launched invasions to plunder the Spanish treasures.
Spanish Kings and Caribbean Pirates
In many ways, the pirate attacks and heroic defenses of the city have forged the identity of Cartagena. Many famous men fought in these heated battles, from Sir Francis Drake and John Hawkins to General Blas de Leso. As a result, the most identifiable feature of the city is the antiquated colonial neighborhoods and the various forts, castles and 300-year-old protective walls built to defend from invaders. These secure battlements took over 100 years for the Spanish to complete, making Cartagena one of the most fortified cities in the new world. Ironically, within 25 years of finishing construction, the Spaniards lost Cartagena to independence in 1811. Nowadays, the historic walls provide a splendid place for tourists to enjoy an afternoon, shopping at cute little boutiques, eating at restaurants overlooking the bay, or soaking in a sunset walk.
Activities in Cartagena
Castillo de San Felipe
Not one of the countless invaders and attackers of the city overtook el Castillo de San Felipe – The grand Spanish castle sitting at the entrance to the bay of Cartagena. When lit a night, the Castillo de San Felipe is one of the true beauties of the Caribbean. Be sure to experience the tunnels that line the interior of the structure. They were purposely constructed with a low ceiling, so the taller invaders would not be able to catch the local defenses.
Puerta del Reloj (Clock Tower Door)
As Cartagena was also a slave port, this square was originally constructed as a slave market.
Now it is an open-air plaza filled with wonderful restaurants, discos, and people out for a stroll. An evening in the plaza will fill your soul with romance and the necessity for a return trip to Cartagena.
Plaza San Pedro de Claver
San Pedro de Claver was a Spanish priest dedicated to developing the rights of the local populations of colonial and independent Cartagena. Both the plaza and church are dedicated to his memory. There is a small museum inside the church that describes the story of de Claver’s struggle for human rights.
Las Bóvedas (The Vaults)
Originally built as a storage area for munitions by the Spanish, these fortified rooms were converted to a jail for dissenters when Colombia gained its independence. Contemporaneously, the Bóvedas have been converted to beautiful artesanias boutiques, where locals sell extravagant Colombian hand-made crafts and souvenirs, inspired by the culture of Cartagena.
Plaza Santo Domingo
This busy square is full of restaurants and live entertainment at night. Fronting the elegant Santo Domingo church, one of the original architectural monuments of the city. Allow yourself to be immersed in the ambiance of Colombian dancers, sensual Caribbean smells, culinary delights, and warm Cartagena evenings.
Barrio San Diego
This was originally the upscale neighborhood of the old city, which can be seen in the doorways of the houses. In Cartagena one can determine the status of a household by the size of the nails in the doors. Stroll by the house of Gabriel García Marquez, the famous Colombian author, or pass the hours wandering through the many cobblestone side streets, enjoying the fine restaurants and contemporary fashion and artistic boutiques surrounded by centuries of colonial history.
Plaza San Diego
This small vibrant plaza in Barrio San Diego is fronted by the famous Hotel Santa Clara. This hotel was originally a Spanish Cathedral and has been converted into a stunning five-star hotel. Be sure to walk through the courtyard where one can see the resident toucan. Lining the plaza are numerous restaurants to dazzle the taste buds, and local artesanias sellers to tempt your cultural fashion senses.
Boca Grande
For those looking for the beach life, Boca Grande is the place to be. Here one will find numerous high-rise hotels and apartments lining the white-sand beaches. Enjoy a swim in the ocean or a cold beer sold by one of the local vendors while watching the sunset. Fast becoming the new “South Beach, Miami” of the Caribbean, take in the luxury of what Cartagena has to offer.
Rosario Islands
Take a day-trip or spend the night at these lovely Caribbean islands. Composed of 27 islands, this Colombian National Park offers an aquarium, snorkeling, and a day in the sun for those who take the 45-minute boat ride.
Source:
http://www.formosarealty.com/en/invest-in-colombia/invest-in-cartagena.html
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