Such a hot miserable day. Couldn’t decide if I should wear a sweater in the air conditioned bus or not. Decided against it and was a good decision. We were begging for ice water all day. Our tour guide wasn’t the greatest and the mic/speaker wasn’t great so we really didn’t learn much on the ride. We drove by the newest castle, Castillo San Felipe de Barajas Castle but our 1st stop was the Palace of the Inquisition.
To provide a little history on these two castles, the city of Cartagena, Colombia, is home to two of the most important historical sites in the country: the Palace of the Inquisition and the Castillo San Felipe de Barajas Castle. While these two fortresses are very different in purpose and history, they both played a significant role in shaping Cartagena into the city it is today.
The Palace of the Inquisition
The Palace of the Inquisition was built in 1770 and served as the headquarters of the Holy Office of the Inquisition, a religious tribunal that persecuted and punished those accused of heresy, blasphemy, and other crimes against the Catholic Church. The Inquisition was a brutal and ruthless organization, and the Palace of the Inquisition is a stark reminder of its dark past. The torture devices we saw were a real testament to this.
Today, the Palace of the Inquisition is a museum open to the public.
San Felipe de Barajas Castle
San Felipe de Barajas Castle, on the other hand, was built to protect Cartagena from attack. The castle was constructed in the 17th century and is one of the most impressive military fortifications in South America. It is located on a hill overlooking the city and is surrounded by a moat and a series of walls.
San Felipe de Barajas Castle has withstood numerous attacks over the centuries, most notably from the British in 1741. During the Siege of Cartagena, the British attempted to capture the city with a massive fleet of warships and an army of over 27,000 soldiers. However, the defenders of the castle were able to successfully repel the attack.
Today, San Felipe de Barajas Castle is a popular tourist attraction.
Here are some fun facts:
• Cartagena is a UNESCO World Heritage Site
• The city was founded in 1533 by the Spanish conquistador Pedro de Heredia.
• Cartagena was a major port city during the Spanish colonial era, and it was a frequent target of pirates.
• The city’s walls, which were built in the 17th century to protect it from pirates, are still standing today.
• There is a mud volcano located just outside of Cartagena. Visitors can bathe in the mud, which is said to have therapeutic properties.
We took a pass on the mud. Yuck!
After our history lesson on the city, we were entertained with cold water first and then a dance from the locals. It was fun to watch.
Our last stop was back at the pier but we wandered through the small mini aviary exiting to the ship. These birds are from the much larger aviary located in the island of Baru. They have over 2000 birds and 135 different species. A bird watchers dream.
Back at the shop, after a couple of glasses of ice cold water we took a shower and literally passed out on the bed. The temperatures were in the low 90’s but the humidity was suffocating.
We did get up on time to enjoy dinner and tonight’s show.
A very long day but we enjoyed it. So thankful tomorrow is a sea day so we can rest.
May God bless you always!
Chuck and Lea Ann
WorldTravelReynolds 