San Pedro Claver Church, Cartagena. All photos courtesy of the author
«Our trip across Colombia and Panama began in Cartagena—a Caribbean city on the northeast coast of Colombia, where the tropical air hit our skin as soon as we arrived. Our hotel, a former convent in the heart of the Old City, is steps away from the famous San Pedro Claver Church, where we began our first walking tour.»
José, our knowledgeable tour guide, exuded hospitality and pride of place as he explained the rich history of this port city, where everything—gold, slaves, sugar, emeralds—entered or left not only Colombia, but other parts of South America during the Colonial period. He also showed us how the old walls were made of both limestone and coral. The scenery was visually beautiful, but it also highlighted just what a traumatic event the conquest of the Americas was.
Detail view of a limestone wall
After our walking tour and lunch, we had a geography lesson from the highest spot in Cartagena: La Popa, an active monastery. José explained why exactly the fort we saw from above, the largest in the Americas, was built where it was.
View of Cartagena from La Popa
The highlight of the day was an evening visit to a private home in the Old City. Elegantly filled with beautiful works of art and exquisite furniture pieces from Spain, we realized that we were looking at a rare jewel, indeed—an exquisite, living, residential museum.
Private home in Cartagena's Old City