Second Stop, Cartegena, Columbia...

With our stop in Cartegena, Columbia, we checked off another major item on Steve's bucket list--visiting another continent, South America.  Our first stop was a visit to the Fort of San Felipe de Barajas built in the 17th century.  It is the largest, most important work of Spanish military engineering in South America.

The Spanish built an ingenious underground tunnel as a trap for invaders.  They would enter the low tunnel designed for the shorter people who lived there.  Larger people would have to duck to enter.  Once they were inside, they were trapped and the locals would be able to kill them easily.  I think of it as the tunnel of no return.

The view of the city of Cartegena from the fort was spectacular.

I thought Steve's photos looked like postcards.

Our tour stopped next at the dungeons where they imprisoned rowdy or non-compliant people and probably a few captured pirates in their day.  They were used for storage for many years.  Now they are shops were local artisans display their wares.  Basically it has become a tourist souvenir center.

This vendor wore many hats on his head that he hoped to sell that day.

The vendors were not bashful as they would bring their items right up to the bus windows as they continued their efforts to make a sale before we pulled away.

We drove by the outer wall of the city that separated the city from the sea.  

The port city of Cartegena was founded in 1533 by Spanish commander Pedro de Heredia at the location of a former village occupied by the indigenous Caribbean Calamari tribe. They named the city after Cartegena, Spain were most of the sailers lived. Their original interest in the area was sparked by the search of gold that was buried in the Sinu graves or tombs.  After those were totally plundered, they spread out and began farming.

By the sea is the walled Old Town, founded in the 16th century, with squares, cobblestone streets and colorful colonial buildings.  

This artist was painting beautiful sea pictures with sunsets, birds and palm trees with the side of his hand.  Fantastic!

Within the old walled city is the Palace of the Inquisition where they tried and tortured people they considered to be heretics and not living the Catholic religion according to the leaders' dictates.  Many women who were of small stature or who had certain other undesirable characteristics were deemed to be witches.

Here were some of the torture devices.  One drove spikes into the offender's neck.  Movements of the head would cause them to dig into the body.  Most people then died of infections.  The tall scissor-like tool on the left was used to cut of offending women's breasts.  This whole museum was difficult to see and hard to believe that people could be so cruel to others because of their beliefs or odd features.

Here is the guillotine and the gallows in the courtyard.  They were said to be rarely used--only 5 times.  However, many heretics died from infections because of their torture.

In the background is a statue of a recent Catholic Pope who visited Cartegena in the past 15-20 years.

I am resting my feet in the courtyard of the Gold Museum.  Gold played an important role in the settlement of the city.

Here are the edge of the Plaza Bolivar named after Simon Bolivar, ladies dressed in colorful costumes sold fruit and/or fruit drinks.  They were popular throughout the city.

These was the square where the slaves brought from Africa were brought to be sold to the highest bidder.  The slaves trade was very predominant throughout the Caribbean.

This beautiful Monasterio de San Pedro Claver (below) was constructed between 1580-1654 in honor of San Pedro Claver, the protector of slaves.   He is supposed to be buried in the altar.

Above is an example of the wares of local vendors.  They are very colorful.  Below is a booth selling the famous Columbian coffee with the infamous Juan Valdez himself wearing the hat.

Cartagena is also popular for its beautiful beaches.  Some are right across the street from city buildings and hotels.  There are many colorful canvas covers for the earliest beach arrivals to stake out so they could have shade for their day at the beach.

This "tall boat" sailing ship was habored very near the convention center in the middle of the city on an inlet.  The yachts are seen in the picture below.  Cartagena was a beautiful, colorful and interesting city.  We only had a few hours in this port so our exposure was limited.  I wouldn't object to a return visit if the opportunity arises.