Cartagena de Indias
It is sunny early in the morning, the day promises to be hot.
Our second day is dedicated to visiting museums.
Museo del Oro: Although small, this museum offers a fascinating collection of gold and pottery from the Zenú people.
The Palace of the Inquisition: Since 1610, this building has been the seat of the Court of Penalties of the Holy Office which tried crimes against the faith. The inquisitors were expelled in 1811, but resettled in 1815. The Tribunal remained in place until 1821. Today it is a museum which exhibits the instruments of torture of the inquisitors and also houses historical objects dating from the time colonial and independence.
Las Murallas: The old town is surrounded by thick walls built to protect it from enemies. Construction began towards the end of the 16th century. The project took two centuries due to repeated damage from storms and pirate attacks.
The heat forces us to take refuge in a not very good local restaurant but next to our ice cream parlor!!!
The rest of the day we continue to stroll.
We have news from Ana, the agent's correspondent in Colombia.
She tells us that to pick up our traveling companion we still have to pay about 800 usd... Between Colombian customs, vehicle insurance and her fees...
Small cold shower... The amounts have climbed in a year... But no choice but to pay.
Cartagena de Indias
Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Cartagena de Indias is one of the jewels of Colombia.
Founded on June 1, 1533 by Pedro de Heredia, it was to defend itself from the incessant attacks of the English, French and Dutch fleets, that Cartagena de Indias was locked inside a wall dominating the Caribbean Sea.
It must be said that Cartagena was one of the most important ports of the colonial era from where the immense wealth recovered by the Spanish conquistadors left for Spain.
The buildings of the city are the witnesses of the rich history of this city which concentrates all the architectural styles from the baroque of the first years of colonization to the neoclassical style of the republican era.
We immediately fell in love with this city nicknamed the "Pearl of the Caribbean"
The weather is unreliable... We are entitled to a downpour when we get into our taxi... It doesn't matter, we have our umbrellas.
We are here for a few days, so we take our time to discover the riches of this city.
Iglesia y santuario San Pedro Claver: Founded by the Jesuits in the first half of the 17th century as Convento San Ignacio de Loyola, the name of this convent was later changed to honor the Spanish monk Pedro Claver, who lived there and died there. Called the “apostle of the blacks” or the “slave of slaves”, the monk spent his entire life in the service of slaves brought from Africa. In 1888 he was the first canonized in the New World.
Plaza de la Aduana: This is the largest and oldest square in the old town and was used as a parade ground. In colonial times, all important government and administrative buildings were here.
Plaza de los Coches: This square was once used as a slave market. It is lined with old balcony houses with colonial arches at ground level. The arcaded walkway, known as El Portal de los Dulces, is now lined with confectionery stalls selling local sweets. The statue of the city's founder, Pedro de Heredia, is in the middle of the square.
We stroll through the beautiful alleys where we admire the colorful houses with flowered balconies.
Our first day of tour ends with a late lunch and a stop at an ice cream parlour.
Cartagena de Indias
Our arrival being late we booked a hotel on the beach.
Waking up under the sun... Finally no rain announced for a few days and a temperature around 30°.
We reach our apartment located south of the city by the Caribbean Sea and we do some shopping for the rest of our stay.
We settle down quietly and recover from our long day the day before.
Dinner in an excellent fish restaurant.
ROAD BOOK 112
MAVROS ODYSSEE