Museum of Modern Art Cartagena
The Old City is the historic center of Cartagena. That being said, the abundance of museums in the Old City is a testament to Cartagena’s rich cultural history. These museums include the Gold Museum, Museo de la Esmeralda, La Tienda del Museo, Museo del Oro Zenu, and major museums further elaborated below.
Courtyard of Inquisiiton Palace in Cartagena
Palacio de la Inquisición
Perhaps the most well known museum in Cartagena is the Palacio de la Inquisición (now Historical Museum of Cartagena), finished in the 1770s, in Plaza de Bolivar. Though recognized as a beautiful colonial two-story palace, I didn’t quite get that impression when I initially saw the exterior. The front entrance has a stone baroque archway with a metal gate.
Torture bed in Inquisition Palace, Cartagena
The interior is crafted with arches and columns on both first and second levels (interior), an expansive brick courtyard, and a grassy lawn. These lovely aesthetics, however, were where Spanish Catholic officials tried anyone vocal or suspected of anti-Catholicism and executed them. So, the beautiful interior belies a gruesome history of torture against non-Catholics.
Guillotine in the Inquisition Palace, Cartagena
With such a bright background, you enter the Inquisition Palace a little on guard. I saw various collections torture instruments. One of them was a freaky metal neck brace with spikes all the way around. There’s also a long wooden rack with ropes to hold down, stretch, and you get the idea. There’s brick patio, where you initially think, “that’s pretty.” Then you look at the end there’s a crazy, scary guillotine.
Okay, on the bright side, the museum does include other historical artifacts, including canons, paintings, and pottery.
Location: Calle 34 3-11, Plaza de Bolivar, Centro, Cartagena, Colombia
Ph: 57 5 664 7381
Website: www.museodecartagenadeindias.gov.co
Cost: Free for disabled folks because I was only able to access the first floor
Accessibility: There are three steps, one for the sidewalk (about 6 inches), one above the sidewalk, and one to enter the gate. To enter the lawn for to access the lawn with the guillotine, there are two steps. There is no elevator for the second level.
The bathroom is accessible, however.
Busts of religious figures in San Pedro Claver Museum
Museo de San Pedro Claver
The San Pedro Claver Museum sits on the west side of the church. The museum’s exhibits consist of busts and paintings of religious figures, which were a bit eerie and haunting to me. There are also ceramics, sculptures, and a classroom, as the church had a convent.
San Pedro Claver Museum
In the courtyard along the side of the museum and church are long, beautiful cloisters where I wheeled slowly along. Just beyond the cloister was a lush garden with walkways and a stone well. There was a lot of reverence for San Pedro Claver, so I explored the museum slowly, taking in with deep respect the history and significance of the saint.
Courtyard in San Pedro Claver Museum
Location: Carrera 4, Centro, Cartagena, Colombia
Cost: 5,000 – 6,000 COP for adults
Hours: 8:00am – 5:30pm Mon-Fri, 8:00am – 4:30pm Sat-Sun
Accessibility: There is about a 5-inch step up the entrance of the museum. I found the ground level (museum, cloister, gardens, and courtyard) to be accessible but I didn’t make it to the upper levels.
Front of Cartagena Museum of Modern Art
Museo de Arte Moderno Cartagena
Might as well hit up Cartagena’s Museum of Modern Art, established in 1979, when you visit San Pedro Claver (church, plaza, museum). It’s right in the plaza and it’s housed in the only building in the plaza that looks somewhat modern—a small white, two-story building with colorful ribbons hanging in the front. Also, it’s really cheap. Admission was only 5000 COP. At first, you might think it’s housed in a warehouse in the first wing or hall because of the greyish color and some lights that look like hanging rafters.
But then, the more candlelit, orange/yellow glow and rustic stone archways in other wings bring a fuzzier feeling about the museum. The juxtaposition of rustic and modern enhance the experience of the museum.
Inside Cartagena Museum of Modern Art
The museum has an introduction to the museum by Gabriel García Márquez and has permanent collections and rotating exhibits. It reflects some of the Caribbean and South America’s modern artists, including works by sculptor Enrique Grau and painter Alejandro Obregón.
The modern metal statues in San Pedro Claver plaza will guide you to the museum.
Location: Calle 30, 4-08, Centro, Cartagena, Colombia
Ph: 57 5 664 5815
Cost: 5000 COP
Accessibility: Cartagena’s Museum of Modern Art is wheelchair accessible.