Located on the northern coast of Colombia, Cartagena is an excellent tourist attraction. The place summons travelers from all parts of the world. The Santa Cruz Manga island, the Castle Grande, the amazing Clock-Tower are some of its specialties. Not to forget the soft and warm breeze which you can enjoy while passing over the city squares.
Cartagena is not so well known. This is largely because the place had not been advertised much. But everyone who visited the place, praised it and wished to visit it again. To make your trip hassle free, you should make a list of all the must see places before visiting Cartagena. Below you can find some outstanding places for tourists;
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Plaza De Bolivar
It is a public square with historical importance. Plaza De Bolivar was called Constitution Square after the independence of Colombia. You’ll find a statue of Simon Bolivar in the middle of the square. It is a hangout place for young couples as well as for old souls, who play chess and talk about the good old days. Local women sell fruits from tubs made of enamel. Get your camera ready to take a still photo of how they balance the tub on their heads.
Palace of the Inquisition
Palace of the Inquisition is a must visit destination in Cartagena. The place has a ghastly history associated with it. It used to be a torture chamber. In the present time, it is used as a museum where torture equipment are showcased. The tools to cause torment on the alleged witch, the scale inquisitors used to measure the exact weight of the victims and the confession room are all there. The place speaks of the wrongs done in the name of inquisition and witch hunting.
Castillo San Felipe de Barajas
It is a famous fortress located on the San Lazaro hill. It was established in 1536. By the mid of seventeenth century, the castle was expanded. History rests in every crack and crevice inside the fortress. In the 1690s, a French army officer called Baron de Pointis conquered the fortress. Then again in 1741, British admiral Edward Vernon attacked the castle. Those attacks caused harm to the exteriors of the castle, but the castle was repaired later.
Quiebra Canto
Want a break from history? Then visit the Quiebra Bar. It’s a great hangout place where you could meet new people and add a bit of spice to your life. The bar offers a lively and vibrant atmosphere and it takes a taxi ride to reach there from the central city. Rates are reasonable; half bottle of Tres Esquinas rum would cost $15. For people who are out there for enjoyment and for the company of exciting colochos, Quiebra Canto is a must go place.
There are many other interesting places like Catedral de Cartagena, Teatro Adolfo Mejía, Café Havana and Galería Cano. It’s not possible to cover all these places at one go, so select the ones that best suit you and plan your trip accordingly.