Get ready for the heat, even the winter is sultry. It makes one wonder how the Conquistadors with their heavy garments, managed to construct this wonderful city. Cartagena is really two separate cities, each with its own distinct personality. The original walled colonial city is now the district of El Centro. Nearby is the modern beach and high-rise district of Boca Grande. There are other districts and regions in the city, but they are mainly residential and/or industrial and of only passing interest to visitors.
Most of the sites are in the old city, El Centro. Here are located the winding narrow streets, the ancient buildings with their charming balconies, the beautiful churches and the numerous plazas and squares. El Centro has been declared a UNESCO heritage site for its preserved ancient buildings.
The old city is a fortress completely surrounded by walls up to 20 metres thick and 10 metres high. It is however only one of several forts built to protect this important port. There are several others in the general area including a couple in the outer harbour that can only be reached by boat.
The most impressive of all is Fuerto de San Felipe de Barajas located on a hill just outside El Centro. This is the largest fortress the Spanish built in South America. Construction was begun after the city was raided and sacked by Sir Francis Drake in 1586. It was later crucial to the successful defence of the city from an invasion in 1741 by the British. In front of the fortress is a statue of Don Blas de Lezo, Cartagena's saviour in that siege. |
