Self-guided Sightseeing Tour #1 in Cartagena, Colombia

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Tour Facts

Number of sights 8 sights
Distance 4.2 km
Ascend 57 m
Descend 75 m

Experience Cartagena in Colombia in a whole new way with our self-guided sightseeing tour. This site not only offers you practical information and insider tips, but also a rich variety of activities and sights you shouldn't miss. Whether you love art and culture, want to explore historical sites or simply want to experience the vibrant atmosphere of a lively city - you'll find everything you need for your personal adventure here.

Activities in CartagenaIndividual Sights in Cartagena

Sight 1: Castillo San Felipe de Barajas

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Castillo San Felipe de Barajas Martin St-Amant (S23678) / CC BY-SA 3.0

The Castillo San Felipe de Barajas is a fortress in the city of Cartagena, Colombia. The castle was built in 1536 and is located on the Hill of San Lázaro in a strategic location, dominating approaches to the city by land or sea. It was originally known as the Castillo de San Lázaro. It was built by African slave labor under Spanish supervision during the colonial era. The fortress was involved in several battles between the late 17th to early 19th centuries between European powers.

Wikipedia: Castillo San Felipe de Barajas (EN)

1304 meters / 16 minutes

Sight 2: San Sebastián del Pastelillo Fort

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The Fort San Sebastián del Pastelillo is a military fortress built in colonial times in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia.

Wikipedia: San Sebastián del Pastelillo Fort (EN)

1521 meters / 18 minutes

Sight 3: Puerta del Reloj

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The Puerta del Reloj, Torre del Reloj or Boca del Puente is the main city gate of the historic center of Cartagena de Indias, in Colombia and the original entrance of the fortified city. It is located between the squares Plaza de Independencia and Plaza de los Coches. The name "Puerta del Reloj" responds to the clock with which it was crowned at the beginning of the 18th century. While the name of Boca del Puente is due to the fact that during the colonial period, a drawbridge was raised at the foot of the channel of San Anastasio, which linked the walled city to the legendary Getsemaní neighborhood. In addition the bridge served like defense of the city, since in case of enemy attack, this one was raised to prevent the access of buccaneers and pirates.

Wikipedia: Puerta del Reloj, Cartagena (EN)

346 meters / 4 minutes

Sight 4: Baluarte de San Ignacio

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The Baluarte de San Ignacio is a bastion located in Cartagena de Indias, in Colombia. This bastion, originally called the Bastión de los Moros, is located on the side of the House of the Jesuits and is the work of Cristóbal de Roda. It is part of the extensive fortifications built by the Spanish to defend Cartagena de Indias.

Wikipedia: Bastion of San Ignacio (EN)

142 meters / 2 minutes

Sight 5: Iglesia de San Pedro Claver

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The Iglesia de San Pedro Claver is a church located in Cartagena de Indias, in Colombia.

Wikipedia: Iglesia de San Pedro Claver, Cartagena (EN)

183 meters / 2 minutes

Sight 6: Parque de Bolívar

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Bolívar Park, also known as Plaza de Bolívar, is an urban park located in the historic center of the Colombian city of Cartagena de Indias, capital of the Department of Bolívar. This urban space is an emblematic site of the city, loaded with historical and cultural symbolism, it was originally called Plaza de la Iglesia, later as Plaza Mayor, where the great military acts of the time were carried out, but in 1610 the Holy Tribunal of the Inquisition was installed in Cartagena and took the name of Plaza de la Inquisición. In 1896 the equestrian statue of El Libertador Simón Bolívar was installed and since then it has been called "Plaza de Bolívar". The sculpture was modeled in Munich by the Venezuelan sculptor Eloy Palacios, it is made of bronze and its pedestal is made of granite from Finland, in addition two replicas of them are raised, respectively, in Maracaibo and Guayaquil.

Wikipedia: Parque de Bolívar (Cartagena de Indias) (ES)

241 meters / 3 minutes

Sight 7: Catedral de Santa Catalina de Alejandría

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The Cathedral of Cartagena de Indias in Colombia, officially the Metropolitan Cathedral Basilica of Saint Catherine of Alexandria, is located in the historic centre of Cartagena. It is the episcopal see of the Archbishop of Cartagena de Indias, one of the oldest episcopal sees in the Americas. The cathedral is dedicated to Saint Catherine of Alexandria.

Wikipedia: Cartagena Cathedral, Colombia (EN)

496 meters / 6 minutes

Sight 8: Baluarte de Santo Domingo

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The Baluarte de Santo Domingo is a bastion located in Cartagena de Indias, in Colombia. The bastion of Santo Domingo has a particular importance, since it is the origin of the construction of the city walls of Cartagena de Indias in the early 17th century. This work of fortification was conceived around 1602 by the engineer Battista Antonelli and his nephew Cristóbal de Roda, also engineer, who decided to build it on the avenue through which the pirate Francis Drake had penetrated, in 1586.

Wikipedia: Bastion of Santo Domingo, Cartagena (EN)

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Disclaimer Please be aware of your surroundings and do not enter private property. We are not liable for any damages that occur during the tours.

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