Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas

In Cartagena there are a handful of impressive Spanish forts, including the 17th century Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas, undoubtedly the greatest and strongest fortress ever built by the Spaniards in their colonies. We began our site seeing at the historical Spanish Fortress Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas. It majestically stands guard on a hillside overlooking the city and harbour.

Many Spanish Galleons, laden with riches from the new world, were attacked and seized by Pirates and English war ships. King Ferdinand ordered the city to be fortified to protect Spain's treasures. The fortress you see today and the Castillo took nearly 200 years to build and housed 245 tons of gold. Cartagena suffered invasions and sackings in 1544, 1560, and in 1586 (Sir Francis Drake). This fort is by far the most impressive fort we have ever seen. Massive.

We were guided through the fort by Edison, a local taxi driver/cruise ship tour guide. He took us into the bowels of the fort, down many levels of dark, musty, wet slippery tunnels and pathways. Edison explained that the Spanish built these long tunnels that wound and twisted through the dark basement so as when the British attacked, they could spring out of the cross channels and spear them to death. We walked all the way down until sea level. Yes we hit water.

Close to the fortress is the 150m high La Popa hill, which offers great views over Cartagena and the harbour area.

The 17th century Santa Cruz monastery is here, which has a beautifully restored courtyard and a fine image of the Virgin of La Candelarisa. The views were outstanding. This is the site that Pope John Paul held a Mass, in which over 1 million attended. Each Easter a procession of hundreds of thousands follow the cross being carried to the Cathedral upon the hill.

Cartagena is one of the most beautiful cities of South America. The city was formally known as Cartagens de Indias. Founded in 1533 by Don Pedro de Heredia, and named after the port of Cartagena in Spain's Murcia region, it was a major center of early Spanish settlement in the Americas, and continues to be an economic hub as well as a popular tourist destination.

Clock Tower in the Back Ground. (The Edge of Old Town.)

Old town consists of several public squares. The Plaza de Santo Doming; the church Santo de Domingo built in 1539 is the oldest in Cartagena. Legend has it the devil was so unhappy he tried to twist it off its foundation. If you look at the building it looks like it is not sitting square and it is one of the most attractive buildings in the Old Town. The square has 4 water features. The Plaza Fernanez Madrid; had its church completed in 1736. The Plaza Bolivar;is the place that the Holy Office of the Inquisition. The first execution was carried out on this site in 1614 and became the center for bullfights. Today it is flanked by restaurants, shops and the gold museum. Plaza de San Diego; was originally an orchard. It now houses the School of Fine Arts.

The Young Children Dancing Caribe

The Port of Cartagena is one of the busiest in South America, there are huge container ships being loaded 24/7. The major exports of Colombia are coffee, tobacco, petroleum products, cosmetics, fertilizers, textiles and coal. There is a Cruise Ship per day docking and the tourist flock to the old town, cathedrals and tourist sites. The largest shopping district is the Emerald area in Old Town.

The music of Colombia is a varied as the cultural dancing. We watched young dancers performing a very traditional Caribbean dance. Salsa music and dancing is everywhere. Ballet is common with children of all ages participating.

Yesterday being May 1st and a holiday afforded us the privilege of watching a waterfront fireworks show.