Cartagena the beautiful city with its colonial, republican and modern look, festivals full of culture and exuberant and bohemian landscapes. It is a fantastic city that keeps the secrets of history in its walls and balconies, in its buildings and in its narrow stone paths.
The sea breeze and the sunset that transform the colors of 400-year-old houses enchant visitors in Cartagena de Indias. A World Heritage Site, this city was founded by Pedro de Heredia in 1533; the colonial architecture of its buildings is protected by the most complete set of fortifications in South America.
Cartagena, it has a vibrant nightlife; magnificent beaches, outstanding gastronomic offerings and its important hotel and tourism infrastructure. The historic center enclosed by the walls of Cartagena is the soul of the city that inspired Gabriel García Márquez, who won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1982. In addition to taking in the history of centuries-old cobblestone streets, you can explore the Castle of San Felipe, experience the wonder of the city’s many churches, and even enjoy a leisurely swim in a nearby mud volcano.
Surrounded by a beautiful bay, Cartagena de Indias is one of the most beautiful and preserved cities in America and one of the most popular destinations on the rise in the world according to TripAdvisor.
.Cartagena de Indias or just Cartagena is the capital city of the department of Bolívar, Columbia. It was founded in 1533 by Don Pedro de Heredia, it is Columbia’s main touristic destination and has the fifth population after Bogotá, Medellín Cali, Barranquilla. Since 1991, Cartagena is a cultural and touristic district. The city is located in the Caribbean Sea shore and is one of the most important touristic axis in Columbia as well as the second urban center in related importance from the Columbia’s Caribbean Coast, after Barranquilla.
From its foundation in the XVI century and during the whole Spaniards colony époque, Cartagena de Indias was one of the most important harbor of the Americas. On November 11th 1811, Cartagena declared itself independent from Spain. This has become a holyday in Columbia and in the city is celebrated during four days known as “Fiestas de la Independencia”. Since 1933, November 11th is a reference for the election of Miss Columbia, through a well know national beauty contest. Time goes by, and Cartagena has developed its urban side, preserving the historic downtown and becoming one of the most important related ports in Columbia, as well as a well-recognized touristic destination.
Its inhabitants within the municipality are 892.545 and along with the surroundings and its influenced area is a total of 1.188.078 inhabitants, with the municipalities Turbaco, Arjona, Turbana, Santa Rosa, Santa Catalina, Clemencia, María la Baja, Mahates, San Etanislao de Kotska, Arenal and Villanueva being Cartagena their axis. The historic downtown, la “Ciudad Amurallada” (Old City), was declared Columbia’s National Patrimony in 1959 and a Human Patrimony in 1984 by UNESCO. In 2007, its military architecture was awarded as the fourth wonder of Columbia.
