In a nutshell

Experience the magic of Cartagena, pearl of the Caribbean, the historical city centre perfectly preserved, relaxed colonial atmosphere, imposing fortifications vibrant and lively squares, hailed by the words of one of his children most 'famous, Nobel prize for Literature Gabriel García Márquez.

Main stops

San Felipe castle, Photo stop
Las bovedas, artisan workshop
Fortified city, inquisition palace, San Peter Claver church
Naval museum
Shopping

The programme

Cartagena de Indias, has a rich history deriving from having been the main port of the continent during the Spanish colonial period.
We start the tour with a photo stop at San Felipe Castle, the most 'impressive structure ever built by the Spanish military engineering in South America. Its construction had started in 1536, on the hill of St. Lazarus from where was possible to control any attempted invasion of the city, both by land and by sea.
Then we reach Las Bóvedas, underground cells built between 1792 and 1796, at first used as a prison and munitions warehouse.
Today it hosts a series of workshops, where local artisans exhibit their works.
We stroll through the narrow streets and the squares of the fortified city (la ciudad amurallada), declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1984. Its varied architecture is mix of colonial styles, Italian and Republicans. Aamong its main buildings there is the inquisition palace, ancient seat of the Court one of the most elegant buildings and features of the colonial city. It now houses a museum, where you can see the old cells and torture chambers.
We also visit the St. Peter Claver Church, erected in 1580 in honor of the missionary Peter Claver, patron of Catholic missions among the peoples of Black Africa and African Americans, called an apostle of the slaves because he dedicated his life to evangelization and the defense of the African slaves arrived in Cartagena. During the colonial era, the city was, along with the Mexican Veracruz, the only authorized to the African slave trade.
The next stop is the Naval Museum, founded in 1992 on the occasion of the five hundredth anniversary of the discovery of America, in a former Jesuit college. Inside the museum we can deepen the naval history of Colombia and historical military enterprises of Cartagena and immerse ourselves in the culture of the country thanks to a delightful show with traditional folk songs and dances, while sipping a cool drink.
At the end of the tour we will have some free time on our own to explore and to do some shopping at the Old City.

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