Cartagena de Indias: The Most Beautiful City in the Caribbean
Cartagena (formerly Cartagena de Indias) is Colombia's fifth largest city in population and importance, after
Bogota, Medellin, Cali and Barranquilla. The city is located along the Caribbean Sea and is one of the major
tourist epicentres of Colombia. It was founded on June 1, 1533 by Pedro de Heredia and the soldiers who
accompanied him, many of them originating in Andalusia and Extremadura. During the Spanish colonial era the
city was one of the largest ports in America. From Cartagena came most of the riches that the Spanish Crown
needed for the maintenance of its gigantic civilizing enterprise, by sea routes that ended in the Spanish ports of
Cartagena, Cadiz and Seville. The Catholic Church established the Inquisition to ensure the power of the
Catholic faith, given the propensity of slaves to pagan cults that included forms of sorcery. It was also the major
point of slaves trade. Cartagena was assaulted several times by pirates, as well as by British, French and
Deutch troops. Therefore, King Philip II entrusted general Luis de Tejada and Italian engineer Bautista Antonelli
the mission of building 11 km of walls and forts that served as a defense in the centuries XVII and XVIII. In these
attacks the most significant was the win against the English fleet of Admiral Edward Vernon (186 ships with
more than fifteen thousand men) in 1741 by the forces of Blas de Lezo. It was the largest siege of Cartagena
that the British army had ever done.
On 20 August 1815, in the early years of independence from Spain, Cartagena was subjected to a campaign of
reconquest led by the Spanish military Pablo Morillo, who implemented a state site against the insurgents that
holed up in the city. This situation continued for three months, during which the insurgents suffered hunger,
epidemics and mortality. The desperate rebels decided to face the Spanish to death. Following this incident, the
city would receive the title of "Heroic City". On November 11, 1811 Cartagena became the second territory
declaring absolute independence from Spain in modern Colombia, after Santa Cruz de Mompox on 6 August
1810. This day is a national holiday in Colombia and the party is held for 4 days known as the "Celebrations of
Independence".
Over time, Cartagena has developed its urban area, preserving the historic and becoming one of the most
important ports in Colombia, as well as a famous touristic destination.
Cartagena Bay is surrounded by islands and lagoons. Its historic center, the "Walled City" was
National Heritage of Colombia in 1959, and Cultural Heritage of the Humanity by UNESCO in 1984. In 2007 its
military architecture was named the fourth wonder of Colombia.
For additional information on Cartagena, visit:
www.cartagenacaribe.com/historia/historia.htm
Cartagena (formerly Cartagena de Indias) is Colombia's fifth largest city in population and importance, after
Bogota, Medellin, Cali and Barranquilla. The city is located along the Caribbean Sea and is one of the major
tourist epicentres of Colombia. It was founded on June 1, 1533 by Pedro de Heredia and the soldiers who
accompanied him, many of them originating in Andalusia and Extremadura. During the Spanish colonial era the
city was one of the largest ports in America. From Cartagena came most of the riches that the Spanish Crown
needed for the maintenance of its gigantic civilizing enterprise, by sea routes that ended in the Spanish ports of
Cartagena, Cadiz and Seville. The Catholic Church established the Inquisition to ensure the power of the
Catholic faith, given the propensity of slaves to pagan cults that included forms of sorcery. It was also the major
point of slaves trade. Cartagena was assaulted several times by pirates, as well as by British, French and
Deutch troops. Therefore, King Philip II entrusted general Luis de Tejada and Italian engineer Bautista Antonelli
the mission of building 11 km of walls and forts that served as a defense in the centuries XVII and XVIII. In these
attacks the most significant was the win against the English fleet of Admiral Edward Vernon (186 ships with
more than fifteen thousand men) in 1741 by the forces of Blas de Lezo. It was the largest siege of Cartagena
that the British army had ever done.
On 20 August 1815, in the early years of independence from Spain, Cartagena was subjected to a campaign of
reconquest led by the Spanish military Pablo Morillo, who implemented a state site against the insurgents that
holed up in the city. This situation continued for three months, during which the insurgents suffered hunger,
epidemics and mortality. The desperate rebels decided to face the Spanish to death. Following this incident, the
city would receive the title of "Heroic City". On November 11, 1811 Cartagena became the second territory
declaring absolute independence from Spain in modern Colombia, after Santa Cruz de Mompox on 6 August
1810. This day is a national holiday in Colombia and the party is held for 4 days known as the "Celebrations of
Independence".
Over time, Cartagena has developed its urban area, preserving the historic and becoming one of the most
important ports in Colombia, as well as a famous touristic destination.
Cartagena Bay is surrounded by islands and lagoons. Its historic center, the "Walled City" was
National Heritage of Colombia in 1959, and Cultural Heritage of the Humanity by UNESCO in 1984. In 2007 its
military architecture was named the fourth wonder of Colombia.
For additional information on Cartagena, visit:
www.cartagenacaribe.com/historia/historia.htm
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