Attraction
Castillo San Felipe de Barajas
A Spanish colonial fortress, a triangular stronghold of batteries, ramparts and tunnels on the San Lázaro hill that guarded the city's land approach.
Cartagena Cathedral (Catedral de Santa Catalina de Alejandría)
Cartagena's 16th-century stone cathedral beside Parque de Bolívar, damaged by Francis Drake's cannon in 1586 and crowned by a tower remodelled in 1908.
At a glance
- Type
- Colonial cathedral
- Area
- Ciudad Amurallada, Cartagena, Colombia
Good to know
- Colonial architecture
- Marble pulpit
Why we recommend it
The cathedral of Santa Catalina de Alejandría is the seat of the Catholic church in Cartagena and one of the oldest buildings in the walled city. The first two churches on the site were modest: a thatched building of 1535 to 1537 and a wooden one of 1563 to 1568 that burned down. Work on the present stone building started in the 1570s after a design competition, and the cathedral was completed in 1612. For security it was placed away from the port, on a corner beside what is now the Parque de Bolívar, although it does not face the park directly.
The master builder Simón González based his design on the basilicas of Andalusia and the Canary Islands. He added a seventh pair of columns to the six originally planned, to give the structure extra support, and the main nave rises to the same height as the main chapel. The balconies, the main doorway and the cornices are original colonial work.
The building's most dramatic episode came in 1586, when the English privateer Francis Drake attacked Cartagena. When the residents refused to pay a ransom he threatened to bombard the cathedral, and a cannon shot brought down one column and damaged two others, along with arches and part of the ceiling. The city eventually paid 110,000 silver ducats, and repairs dragged on for years because of a lack of funds.
The tower and dome you see today are the result of a refurbishment in 1908 by the French architect Gaston Lelarge, which gave the cathedral its distinctive silhouette. Inside, look for the Carrara marble pulpit, the marble floor and the arcades of the central nave, all added under Bishop José Díaz de Lamadrid in the late 18th century.
The cathedral sits on the edge of Parque de Bolívar, so it combines naturally with the Palacio de la Inquisición and the Museo del Oro Zenú on the same square, and with the Plaza de Santo Domingo a short walk away. It is an active church, so dress modestly, keep quiet during services and check opening times locally before you go, as visiting hours are not published on an official site we could verify. A visit takes 20 to 30 minutes, longer if you sit in the park outside afterwards.
Cartagena Cathedral (Catedral de Santa Catalina de Alejandría) FAQs
When was Cartagena Cathedral built?
The present stone cathedral was built in the late 16th century and completed in 1612, after two earlier churches on the site.
What happened during Francis Drake's attack?
In 1586 a cannon shot from Drake's forces brought down one column and damaged others. The city paid a ransom of 110,000 silver ducats.
Who designed the cathedral?
The master builder Simón González, who based it on basilicas in Andalusia and the Canary Islands.
Why does the tower look different from the rest of the building?
The tower and dome were refurbished in 1908 by the French architect Gaston Lelarge.
What should I look for inside?
The Carrara marble pulpit, the marble floor and the arcades of the central nave, added in the late 18th century.
Where is the cathedral?
On a corner beside Parque de Bolívar in the walled city, close to the Palacio de la Inquisición and the Museo del Oro Zenú.
Is there a dress code?
It is an active church, so modest dress and quiet behaviour during services are expected.