Made up of lagoons, islands, waterways and the gentle rhythms of the blue Caribbean waters as they wash up on and along its shores, this city of almost a million people is as cosmopolitan and beautiful as it is rich with the history.  Occupied first by the Spanish, then the French and even for a short time the English, the beauty of Cartagena’s modern high rise skyline is as architectural pleasing as those in Miami, Manhattan and San Francisco.  A mixture of the old and the new, this city is a cornucopia of sights, sounds and rhythms that attract visitors from around the world.

The fortress of Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas that surrounds the city measures seven miles in circumference and is as awe inspiring as the pyramids, the Mayan ruins and Chicago’s Hancock Building.  With the plans for the fortress begun by Antonio De Arévalo's in 1639, the fortress was not finished until 1789.  Created to protect against the marauding pirates that plied the Caribbean waters, this is the largest of all forts build to protect Cartagena against the sea going hooligans who five time lay siege to the city circa the 1500’s. Built of red brick and concrete the fortress was designed so that should one section fall to invading forces (it never happened), Catagena’s defenders could fire at them and defend the city from other sections of the fortress wall.

Found here today is a thriving and colorful market place called Plaza de las Bovedas.  Laced with boutiques, shops and sights of every dimension this bustling mercado belies the fact that during the 18th century the brick and mortar edifice housed dungeons that were built directly into the old city walls.  Some fifty feet thick in some places, today these city walls and their dungeons provide space for the plethora of shops that attract bargain seekers from early morning until late at night.  

Located in the Pierino Gallo Plaza, the bon vivant of fine roasted coffee is offered an opportunity to experience and make their choice from a huge variety of coffee beans.   In the Plaza specialty items such as palm fiber hammocks, macramé’ shawls and crocheted dolls are found in abundance.  However, it is the emeralds offered here that have made Columbia the world market place for same.  At places like Adriana Jewelry, Emerald Plaza, Greenfire Emeralds and Mister Emerald, creations like custom designed modern necklaces with multiple sizes and shapes of emeralds and other precious gems are set in 18kt. Gold and silver.  Natural leather purses, belts, bags, wallets are among the other kinds of unique commodities the Pierino Gallo Plaza presents the casual as well as the serious shopper.

Overlooking the old fortress walls, the emerald green waters of the Caribbean below and the high rise office buildings and luxury apartments the lace the horizon is the Convento de la Popa.  Yielding an excellent view of this beautiful city that is a jewel in Columbia’s crown, this convent that once also served as a secondary fortress to protect the city. Now it houses a museum and the chapel of the Virgen de la Candelaria, Cartagena's patron saint.   Outside beautiful and colorfully dressed young ladies vend vacuum packaged sacks of coffee and local folk treasure, making this one more reason why visiting the Convento de la Popa while in Cartagena is a must-see place.

Nicely appointed but modestly priced lodging is abundant, as is luxury resort style accommodations. You decide. An excellent web site that is a good starting point to find the lodging that fits your financial profile is www.cartagenainfo.net .  The delicious foods to be samples in Cartagena range from local and provincial to totally cosmopolitan and continental.  It’s a veritable smorgasbord of delicious fare.  Most visitors arrive via major international air carriers.  However major cruise lines today now pay port calls to Cartagena, with disembarkations at the Fort San Felipe Cruise Dock.  From here excellent guided tours or on-your-own adventures are possible but easily doable.  One cruise line that offers excellent Cartagena port adventures is Holland America .  The job they do is superb! 

For a comprehensive listing of the possibilities that can be enjoyed while visiting Columbia’s crown jewel city, type in the word “cartagena” in to any internet search engine and viola you will be inundated with many wonderful results.  Happy Traveling!