Entrance to Convento de la Popa in Cartagena
La Popa Convent sits on the highest point in Cartagena at 150 meters. To get there you’ll need to take a taxi. It’s well worth the cost of a roundtrip taxi fare for the history and vista view of the city and harbor. If you try to walk or wheel, there are no sidewalks and it’s a winding ascension.
Chapel at Convento de la Popa in Cartagena
La Popa was founded in 1607 by Augustian priest, Father Alonso de La Cruz Peredes. It has a small chapel with a painting of La Virgen de la Candelaria, Cartagena’s patroness, a cloister, and a museum.
Museum of La Popa Convent Cartagena
An aside, my driver was awesome! He carried my wheelchair up a flight of brick steps to the group of La Popa buildings as I scooted my butt up the steps. He also stood in front of La Virgen de la Candelaria alter for an extended period of time while I explored La Popa.
Courtyard in La Popa Convent Cartagena
Beyond the chapel, there is a lovely brick and flower courtyard. And, a stroll around the courtyard will take you to the museum. The museum is fairly small with statues of religious figures, neat earthenware and pottery, and clothing encased in glass.
View of Cartagena from La Popa Convent
Outside, there’s a balcony with a wonderful view of the city and harbor. The abundance of flora immediately beyond the balcony is beautiful to see.
Down on the entrance level of the grounds, there is a vendor selling souvenirs. I negotiated 2 t-shirts for 20,000 from 30,000 COP. A gentleman also came up to me with an animal hugging the guy with enormously long arms and legs and claws. He was carrying a sloth.
Getting There: take a taxi. It’s steep and winding and the driver took care of me. I paid him 50,000 COP for the roundtrip and carrying my wheelchair.
Cost: 6000 COP, 8000 COP if you want a tour guide.
Accessibility: there is a long flight of stairs to reach La Popa’s buildings. Additionally, there are two steps to enter the entrance to La Popa’s courtyard. Once inside, there are no other steps.