Cartagena de las Indias is a large city on the Caribbean Coast of Colombia. It has a population of a little over 950,000 people. Pedro de Heredia founded the Spanish Colonial city in 1533, naming it after Cartagena, Spain. It became a holding place for gold and treasures from the Americas until ships came to [...]
Cartagena de las Indias is a large city on the Caribbean Coast of Colombia. It has a population of a little over 950,000 people. Pedro de Heredia founded the Spanish Colonial city in 1533, naming it after Cartagena, Spain. It became a holding place for gold and treasures from the Americas until ships came to bring them back to Spain. As a result, many pirates and privateers tried to attack the city. The Spanish had to keep increasing the city’s defenses, including building the old wall.
Cartagena really feels like three seperate cities in one: the downtown or old city, the modern suburb of Bocagrande on the beach, and the working class neighborhoods around the two. In 1984 the colonial old city was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
More Colombia Photos: Bogota | Cartagena | Guane | Juan Curi Waterfalls | Mongui | Palomino | San Gil | Villa de Leyva |
About the Author: Chaya Shepard
After traveling on her own for three or four years, Chaya met up with Wade Shepard, the editor of VagabondJourney.com. They were married in 2009, and continue to travel the world together with their young daughter. From time to time Chaya blogs about family travel and life on the road. Chaya Shepard has written 102 posts on Vagabond Journey. Contact the author.
Chaya Shepard is currently in: Xiamen, China
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