Many people are familiar with Cartagena, Colombia (full name: Cartagena de Indias) thanks to the 1984 movie “Romancing the Stone” with Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner. However, Michael pronounced the city’s name wrong throughout the film and the Cartagena scenes were actually filmed in Mexico. So, here's some information about the actual city . . .
Cartagena was founded in 1533 and was a small town for many years. It eventually grew into a very important port, connecting much of South America to Europe. Since the Spanish were busy shipping silver, gold, and other treasures out of South America, the city quickly became a target for pirates.
Therefore, in the 17th century, while Spain still occupied much of South America, the crown commissioned a wall to be built around the city and fortresses to protect it. These walls and fortresses took over 200 years to build. However, once they were complete, they were considered impregnable. In fact, one of the fortresses, Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas, is considered the finest fortress ever built by the Spanish in any of their colonies. It was never penetrated. In fact, it’s still overlooking the city today.
Therefore, in the 17th century, while Spain still occupied much of South America, the crown commissioned a wall to be built around the city and fortresses to protect it. These walls and fortresses took over 200 years to build. However, once they were complete, they were considered impregnable. In fact, one of the fortresses, Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas, is considered the finest fortress ever built by the Spanish in any of their colonies. It was never penetrated. In fact, it’s still overlooking the city today.
After more than 275 years of ruling the city, Spain lost Cartagena, not due to lack of protection, but from the will of the people inside: on November 11, 1811, Cartagena declared independence from Spain (although Cartagena wasn't actually liberated until October 1821.) Preparations are already in the works for a massive celebration this November to mark the 200th anniversary of this occasion. This move by Cartagena prompted many of the other cities in modern-day Colombia to follow suit.
Today, over 7 miles of walls remain in the "old city" of Cartagena giving it an air of beauty and romance unlike any other Colombian city.
In fact, in 1984, UNESCO declared the walled city a World Heritage Site. (Don’t know what UNESCO is, check it out here: http://whc.unesco.org/en/about/).
Within the walls of the old city, the architecture is mostly in the colonial style. I spent hours wandering the labyrinth of stone streets and taking it all in.
Outside of the old city, Cartagena is actually quite modern – a vast city with more than 40 skyscrapers and over a million residents.
Being on the Caribbean, Cartagena is known for its seafood – especially ceviche. There are ceviche carts all over the beaches and the streets. And, in one part of town, there is a row of ceviche stalls open well into the night with plastic tables and chairs set up for people to enjoy the fresh seafood!
Finally, Cartagena is known for its sunsets. . .and I enjoyed several while I was in town.
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