Cartagena Jewel in the Stone

Hotel Don Pedro de Heredia is a truly beautiful hotel nestled in the heart of historic walled city of Cartagena de Indias. Hotel Don Pedro de Heredia provides its visitors with the perfect balance of culture, history, elegance, and warmth, while they experience the stunning colonial city of Cartagena. Set in the historic heart of El Centro, Hotel Don Pedro Heredia is the perfect place to rest as you enjoy this breathtaking city.

The tour begins with a visit to the "Convento de la Popa", where the city's highest point is located and you can enjoy the best view of the beautiful city of Cartagena. This convent was built in the 17th century by the Augustinian Monks. Initially it was just a small wooden chapel, but later it was replaced by a strong construction which still remains.

Continue with a visit to the "Castillo de San Felipe". This castle was built by the Spaniards in the 1600s and it is the greatest and strongest fortress ever built in a Spanish colony. Located at the top of San Lazaro hill, its purpose was to protect and guard the city's landward side from any attack or invasion. This fortress provides a complex system of tunnels connected with strategic points to distribute provisions and facilitate a possible evacuation. Additionally, the tunnel's architecture was built so that any noise would echo along them, in order to make internal communications easier and hear even the slightest sound of the enemies approaching.

Afterwards, a walk through "Las Bovedas" is included. These 23 vaults were built in the 18th century and they are considered the last major colonial construction made within the city walls for military purposes. The vaults were used as storerooms for munitions and provisions by the Spaniards, and later on, they became jail cells. Nowadays, they are used as crafts markets where you can find handicrafts, antiques, galleries, jewelry, clothing and souvenirs, among other things.

Then, you will visit the "Iglesia y Convento San Pedro de Claver"; this convent was founded in the early 17th century by San Ignacio de Loyola. The name of the church was given in honor to San Pedro Claver, a Jesuit priest who spent his life ministering to the enslaved people brought from Africa. This baroque church has an imposing stone facade and inside there are fine stained-glass windows and a high altar made of Italian marble. You will also find a beautiful cloister surrounded with trees, a museum and the place where San Pedro Claver lived and died.

Passengers will pass by the main square called "Plaza de Bolívar". In this beautiful plaza you will find many trees and a statue of the most important leader of South America's Independence movement, the liberator Simón Bolívar. Initially it was used for military parades; however, after 1610 it was called "Plaza de la Inquisición", because the Inquisition Palace was located on the west side of the plaza. Then you will pass by the "Plaza de la Proclamación", where the town gathered to support the declaration of independence on November of 1811.

The tour then continues to the "Plaza de San Pedro de Claver", a small plaza named after the saint that fought to help the slaves that came from Africa and were sold in the city. Next, you will visit the "Plaza de la Aduana", the largest and oldest square where the important governmental and administrative buildings were located in the colonial times.

Afterwards, visit the "Plaza de los Coches". A triangular plaza surrounded by the old city wall, houses with Spanish colonial architecture and buildings with colonial arches at ground level. This arcade walkway is known as "El Portal de los Dulces", a whole street full of stands that sell typical Colombian sweets. There you will also find the main entrance to the inner walled city, which was originally called "Boca del Puente". This gateway was complemented years later with a Republican-style clock tower, which is known as a symbol of Cartagena.

At the end of the tour, you will visit the "Plaza Santo Domingo". This plaza is full of life and entertainment and it is a perfect place for social interaction and relaxation while enjoying the open air restaurants that are located there. You will also see the church of Santo Domingo, a beautiful colonial church with a stunning facade.