Old City in Cartagena and its fascinating corners

Walking through the streets of the Historic Downton of Cartagena de Indias (Read here Streets of Cartagena de Indias with horror stories) is a plan you cannot miss. As a tourist, it is best to stop at the corners; look around, mainly upwards, to be able to contemplate in all its dimension the architecture that is preserved despite the years passing. Another way of going around Cartagena.

There are monumental, valuable and important constructions such as the the Banco de la República building, the School of Fine Arts, the University of Cartagena, the Mayor's Office, the Bolívar Section of SENA and the former headquarters of the Governorate of Bolívar and you can also appreciate the plazas where they are located. The small details and the look from those days, makes them seem fascinating to locals and tourists. The facades, internal patios, halls, arches, windows, stairs, floors, high walls and balconies, all represent a great value in this city Cultural, Material and Intangible Heritage. Traveling through other streets or plazas of the Walled City also forces us to stop before other striking constructions that are also as important.

Read also Tour of the Cartagena Walls

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Located in La Calle de La Moneda, between the Primera and Segunda Calle de Badillo, and the San Agustín Chiquito you can appreciate a charming three-story colonial yellow house with white balconies. During the day, the sun illuminates and ensures that everyone who crosses these corners appreciates it from top to bottom. At night, it is even more noticeable since the lights highlight the house. It is surrounded by shops. This place is famous for the fruit salads and traditional sweets that the Palenqueras sell and it is one of the busiest for being the way that students have to take to get to University of Cartagena, and the Parque Fernandez Madrid. If we turn our backs and continue along Calle Primera de Badillo and stand up in the corner between Calle de Las Carretas and Calle del Tablón, we appreciate the impressive blue and white construction that looks beautiful at all times. By day or by night, to observe it is like stopping time. Its more than 30 balconies with cement bars and wooden windows decorate the five floors. It is a must to go through there in order to get to Plaza de Los Coches or La Torre del Reloj. In the corner we can make a stop to taste for two thousand pesos an irresistible green mango that can be more pleasant with salt, pepper and a touch of lemon.

If you arrive at the Plaza de los Coches, do not forget to stop at the Portal de Los Dulces

When you walk through Calle de Las Carretas and turning right on Calle Portocarreño (former Calle del Esclavo) until this two streets find Calle del Colegio, we come across a three-story corner building whose rectangular facade shows the name of a recognized company from Cartagena. It is yellow, with balconies and white semicircular arches. Today, it is occupied by several commercial stores. On the outside we can enjoy a refreshing and healthy cold coconut water. From there you will reach the Cathedral of Saint Catherine of Alexandria and the Plaza de La Aduana. Lastly, another majestic house in the Historic Downtown in Cartagena de Indias is located in the famous and busy Plaza Santa Teresa, between Calle San Juan de Dios and Calle Ricaurte. Owner of such a monument stands out for its showy windows and balconies spread over its two floors. You cannot leave with taking a picture there since it is part of a beautiful panorama with the walled city, a five-star hotel the Museo Naval del Caribe, the San Pedro Claver church and the handcrafts that contrast perfectly. Without a doubt, in all of these valuable places is possible to take a picture that you will cherish forever from your trip to Cartagena de Indias.