Shelter and barrack entrance on Cartagena Wall
Though not the Great Wall, Cartagena’s wall surrounding Old Town is still a coral stone behemoth at eleven km long and twenty meters thick. And it’s old—centuries old! The Spanish started construction in 1586 (I’m sure they didn’t do the labor) and continued to expand the wall into the 1700s. Why? Because Spain’s European neighbors were also conquistadors and kept raiding this strategic port city for, among other things, the area’s gold, other precious metals, and spices. The Spanish had to defend what they found. This military fortification is a reason why it’s labeled as a UNESCO World Heritage site
Row of canons on top of Cartagena Wall
I really enjoyed exploring the Old City’s wall. It was one of my favorite sites and activities. At the entrance of the wall you have the Clock Tower Gate. Towards the west side of the wall on Calle de la Ronda are vendors lined up with locally crafted souvenirs all laid out rugs and cloths.
On the north side is a very long stretch of the wall with lookouts where, beyond road, is an expansive stretch coastline of the Caribbean Sea.
Aerial view of Plaza de las Bodevas from Cartagena Wall
Wheeling along the north wall and into the San Diego is a massive beautiful yellow building, the Colegio Salesiano San Pedro Claver. Across is from this college is the famous Plaza de las Bodevas (Square of the Vaults), Cartagena’s largest marketplace plaza under a stretch of orange columns and arches. This place has history, as the stores were originally used as barracks and jail cells.
Majestic sites from the top of Cartagena Wall
At the east end of Plaza de las Bodevas is ramp up to the top of the wall. It was one of my favorite spots to visit. This part and location of the wall is the Santa Catalina Bastion. Atop the Santa Catalina Bastion, you can ramble around and take in, because of its height, the city and the Caribbean Sea. You also have an aerial view of the college and Plaza de las Bovedas. Along the bastion are shelters, a tower, rows of canons, and oh, couples sitting on top of the wall looking out into the city and the sea. Cartagena’s wall is Magical.
Accessibility: Cartagena’s wall is wheelchair accessible. Climb up the ramp just adjacent to Plaza de las Bovedas.