Just imagine a subtle blend of Andalusian and Extremenian cities. It is closer to this delicious city, made of gold, silver and coral, of long balconies and latticed windows of stone porches and illustrious doors, of open interiors, suntanned skins, peoples with black eyes or sea blue eyes, buccaneers, ambitious pirates, slaves and fortune seekers, merchants and hustlers, knights and their attendants, religion and the very doors of mystery...

Islas del Rosario Desde el puerto de Cartagena parten lanchas hacia el archipiélago de las Islas del Rosario, un conjunto de 30 islotes coralinos, declarado Parque Natural, donde practicar el submarinismo, disfrutar de la tranquilidad como un Robinson o contemplar las evoluciones de tiburones, rayas, tortugas marinas, delfines y otras especies marinas en un espectacular parque acuático ubicado alrededor de la isla de San Martín de Pajarales. Hay alojamiento en cabañas en la Isla del Pirata, propiedad de la empresa de Roberto Lemaitre. No deje de realizar una excursión de un día pues el archipiélago es de una hermosura notable. The old area of Cartagena de Indias is surrounded by 15 km of well-preserved walls. It is a city to walk step by step each one of its streets filled with a colonial taste everywhere. To stroll along the streets of the Old City is foremost the main reason to visit Cartagena which can be turned into a singular experience in the New World. To have a look at the sunset on the Caribbean Sea I go up the side of the walls overlooking the sea and then lie on one of the cannons. The fresh breeze and the warm colors fully abstract me. I look around and see that couples of lovers have taken each cannon as far as I can see. The youngsters well sat on the cannon or leaning on them look at each other and exchange the most tender gestures of love always showing respect and softness, not exposing overexaggerating effusiveness. Nobody ever thought that these huge black iron figures that shot fire against the dreadful pirate ships will be a support from where to throw the arrows of love. Cartagena de Indias was founded by Don Pedro de Heredia in 1533, the city soon became one of the main strongholds of the Spanish Empire in the Americas from where most of the galleons heading for Europe left carrying gold. For that reason the place became the favorite target for many British and French pirates. Five large attacks were perpetrated in the city by privateers during the 16th century, among whom excel Francis Drake and John Hawkins. This was the reason why under the kingdom of Philip II, the Crown determined that Cartagena was an unassailable port. The work lasted two centuries, due to the frequent destructions caused by wave tides and storms, plus the pirates’ attacks. Using the African slaves’ manpower, huge walls and fortresses were built. Then when in 1471 England sent 186 ships and 24,000 men to attack Cartagena, the invading ships smashed against the walls and was a complete failure. When one steps into the place, the Plaza de los Coches is seen, with the beautiful arcades of the Portal de los Dulces: twenty stone-lime arches with 22 sales points of sweets. There are some 30 varieties of sweets: panderos, panderitos, tamarind pulp, coconut or pineapple sweets, banana and guava sweets, confectioneries of milk and yam and even diamond-shape sponge cakes. Walking on the left is Plaza de la Aduana (Customs Square) where the old building is, today the headquarters of the Mayor’s Office. And then along the whole wall, one can stroll around the perimeter of the city, the Old City, passing by its 16 well-kept small forts and other curiosities as the very monument to the Indian Catalina or the most singular monument as that of the Old Shoes. San Felipe de Barajas Castle is a monumental building built between the years 1536 and 1798. It is regarded as the major Spanish military engineering work in the Americas. It has a number of long, deep and entangled tunnels and galleries, along with some defensive resources that made it unassailable. Its was named after the monarch that ruled at that time, Philip II and after the county title held by the governor’s father, Zapata de Mendoza, the main promoter of the work. Opposite the castle, the monument to Don Blas de Lezo was erected, he was a Spanish sailor that had participated in 21 naval battles where he was losing parts of his body, first the right leg, then the left eye and finally the right hand. What is significant here is that Don Blas was leading a small troop that faced the British Armada under the command of Sir Edward Vernon who in 1741 attacked Cartagena and failed to surrender it. That fleet was made up of 186 vessels with 21,600 men, over 2,000 Americans under the orders of Lawrence Washington, a brother of George Washington. That is why in Cartagena there is a saying which goes: "Half a man won the battle of an entire one."

The Old City What is good about this city is that forms a whole, its attraction comprises both an aristocratic mansion as well as a number of multicolor humble houses. Though we can say that the neuralgic center of the city is Bolívar Square. At a side of such square is Santo Oficio de la Inquisición Palace, set up in Cartagena in 1610 and operated for several centuries, thus extending its jurisdiction almost all over the Caribbean. In the course of its term, this body punished 787 persons in Cartagena. The building dates back to 1770, today it houses the Historic Museum where instruments of torture, weapons, painting and furnitures of that colonial epoch are on display. Opposite the previous one is the Museum of Sinú Gold, the Pre-Columbian culture that inhabited this area at the time of the conquest. There the Cathedral is located as all temples of Cartagena resembling a fortress from outside. It began to be built in 1575, though different obstacles made that the works were concluded at the beginning of the 20th-century, the 17th-century central altar stands out in the interior. Even of greater interest are San Pedro Claver Church and Monastery, both built by the Jesuits at the beginning of the 18th century. In this temple the remains of the Saint who dedicated his life to alleviate the sufferings of the black slaves, rests at the high altar.

Cartagena At Night When the sun starts slowly setting in the sea horizon, the walled site is filled with lights. This is the time of living another fascinating experience: to stroll along the narrow and captivating small colonial streets, filled with multicolor and beautiful lighted balconies. On foot or by a horse-driven car, one can enjoy the peaceful atmosphere that reigns in the old city at night. The streets such as Candilejo, Factoría, Damas, Inquisición, Santos de Piedra, Estanco del Tabaco, all reminiscences of past histories, legends or old events, re evoked in these names. To end the trip, nothing is better than to be transported on the "chiva" (nanny-goat), an open bus with permanent bar service and a music band at the rear which makes dance the most timid passenger. At the time agreed, this transportation means picks up guests at the corresponding hotels and then everything is rhythm.

Rosario Islands From Cartagena Port leave the lighters that set out for the archipelago of Rosario Islands, a set of 30 coral islets declared Natural Park, where diving can be practiced, silence and quietness enjoyed as a Robinson Crusoe or simply watch the movements of sharks, skates, sea turtles, dolphins and other sea species in an spectacular water park located around San Martín de Pajarales Island. There is the opportunity of accommodating in cabanas as in Pirate Island, a property which belongs to Roberto Lemaitre enterprise. In any case do not miss the one-day excursion because the archipelago has a notable beauty.