CARTAGENA-2018

May 22 and 23, 2018


We were last in Cartagena in April 2011 for Semana Santa (Holy Week).
We agree with the claim that it is the emerald in the crown of Latin America and deserving of the designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

We are staying in the same boutique hotel Casa la Fe...













Across the street from 
Plaza Fernández Madrid (below)



Our first stop was to La Cevichería. 


Cartagena is very colorful. The historic old town is easily navigated (except for the heat). 
Below are street scenes... 



 
Cartagena was a major slave port in New Spain. Some of the Africanos escaped and created free communities called Palenques. The woman in colorful dress above is a palenqueña. 


The plaza, in front of the Iglesia de San Pedro Claver, hosts delightful metal sculptures by the cartageno artist Edgardo Carmona, depicting daily life (la vida cotidiana).  


 Playing dominos (left) and chess (above)
Listening to music (below left) and sewing (below right)
                  




Enrique Grau (1920-2004)
This is also where the Museo del Arte Moderno (Museum of Modern Art) is. We fell in love with the bronze sculptures of Enrique Grau, the artist who founded the museum.

Tango Azul 
Rita - 10:30AM
Rita - 5:30PM

Damitas-Homenaje a Maestro Grau

Baluarte Santo Domingo - Cafe del Mar
Cartagena was founded in 1533. During the 16th century, it was repeatedly sacked by pirates - most famously by Sir Francis Drake in 1568. The old city is encased by muralles (stone walls). There are several baluartes (ramparts), some of which now are great spots to sit and watch the sun set. 

We fly home mañana to Santa Barbara. 







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