The Castillo San Felipe, One Of The Treasures Of Cartagena De Indias
If your plan is to travel to Latin America, Colombia is a perfect destination to get lost for a few days. On this occasion, we take you to Cartagena de Indias, there we are going to visit the Castillo San Felipe de Barajas. Do you want to know the history of this fortification?
Visit the Castillo San Felipe
On your trip to Cartagena de Indias you can draw up many plans, but this is one of the essential ones. You must visit the Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas without excuses. Among other reasons because this monument is declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco.
Considered one of the seven wonders of Colombia, the castle deserves a few hours of your stay in Cartagena. This monument began to rise, as we know it today, in the seventeenth century. Of course, the works would last more than a hundred years.
Defense of the city
During the visit, we will be able to walk through the underground corridors that were once occupied by the defenders of the territory. Today tourists walk in awe of them. But centuries ago it was the soldiers who walked these underground corridors to defend the city from the enemies.
In the tunnels you can see the architectural use as a defense. The ceilings in the stair areas were low. In this way, the defender below could attack with ease, while the descending invader had to adopt an unflattering position for combat.
On the outside, the large cannons with which they bombarded the attackers still remain. Being on the hill, the view from the castle was much better than from ground level. Thus, pirate ships loomed longer, allowing the militiamen to plan their defense.
This coastal location is yet another reason to visit Castillo San Felipe. From the top of the fortification we can get fantastic photographs of the Caribbean. And we will also get a spectacular panoramic view of the city of Cartagena de Indias.
What else to see in Cartagena de Indias
As we have mentioned, a visit to Castillo San Felipe is mandatory if we go to Cartagena de Indias. But there are many other plans to enjoy in this historic Colombian city.
We continue with the architectural elements that in the past served as a defense for the city. Now they are one more tourist attraction. In addition to the castle, you have to visit the wall of Cartagena. It was raised in the 16th century, after the attack by Sir Francis Drake.
The wall is still in good condition and is also part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Just as the castle served in the defense of maritime attacks, which mostly had French and British origin.
Next to the wall we have what was the entrance to Cartagena de Indias: the Clock Tower. Placed on the dome of the San Francisco Bridge, the yellow tower with the clock is another symbol of the town.
And, of course, another perfect plan is to enter through that same door in the walled city. In it we will visit buildings that were once palaces and that today house museums and hotels. Each of its streets keeps that magic that recalls the historical importance that it had centuries ago.
Spend a day on Barú Island
On a trip to Cartagena de Indias we can spend a day visiting Barú Island, located an hour away by boat. Here we will be able to know some paradisiacal beaches , those with which we have all dreamed of at some time. In fact, the highlight of this area is the incredible beauty of its crystal clear waters.
This natural beauty is sure to dazzle anyone taking a trip to Barú Island. What will also surprise you is being able to see how pelicans fly over the beaches. An undoubtedly exciting experience.
