Colonial Architecture Walk (Self Guided), Cartagena

Visiting Cartagena can be a remarkable experience, especially for those keen on architecture. The beautifully-preserved, mostly colonial-style, buildings in the historic center have long been one of the main attributes of this once burgeoning Colombian town.

Recognizing colonial Cartagena is easy, as it is surrounded by colossal stone walls tracing the outline of the old city. The downtown architecture, deeply rooted in Andalusian tradition, is a maze of charming civilian structures, plazas, and massive military installations. Walking here makes one feel as if leaving the 21st century behind.

Playing the role of an Inquisition center for the Catholic Church in South America, Cartagena is dotted with numerous religious sites from that era, like the Inquisition Palace (the former seat of the Holy Inquisition on the continent), the magnificent Cartagena Cathedral, the Convent of Santo Domingo, and the Church of Santo Toribio (the last church built within the Walled City).

The impressive Vaults, once built to protect the town from the constant plundering of pirates, today is a perfect place to buy souvenirs.

As you tour the iconic traces of the past, take a moment to observe the colonial homes that used to house viceroys and colonists, such as the Marquis of Valdehoyos House and the Town Hall building.

Gabriel García Márquez, the winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature, once said that he was reborn after visiting Cartagena for the first time. If you wish to try the same or, perhaps, take a step back in time, embark on this self-guided walking tour and discover the beauty that colonial Cartagena has to offer.