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.
Santuario de San Pedro Claver
A Jesuit church, cloister and museum in the walled city where the remains of Saint Peter Claver, defender of enslaved Africans, lie beneath the main altar.
At a glance
- Type
- Jesuit church and museum
- Area
- Ciudad Amurallada, Cartagena, Colombia
Good to know
- Cloister
- Museum
- Dome viewpoint tours
Why we recommend it
The church and former Jesuit cloister of San Pedro Claver are dedicated to one of the most remarkable figures in Cartagena's history. Pedro Claver was born in Verdú, in Catalonia, in 1580 and arrived in Cartagena in 1615, where he worked alongside the missionary Alonso de Sandoval. For almost four decades he met the slave ships arriving in the port, cared for the sick and injured and taught the enslaved through African interpreters; he is estimated to have baptised around 300,000 people. He signed his final vows as "aethiopum semper servus", servant of the Africans forever. He died in Cartagena in 1654, was canonised in 1888 and is a patron saint of Colombia and of enslaved people.
The church was built between 1580 and 1654 in the colonial style. It was first dedicated to San Juan de Dios, then to San Ignacio de Loyola from 1622, and later took Claver's name. His remains lie in the main altar, and the church is administered by the Society of Jesus. In 1921 the dome was replaced, and the building was declared a national monument in 1995. It is also one of the city's most popular wedding venues.
Next door, the Santuario Museo occupies the former Jesuit cloister and has been open since 1950, according to El Universal. It covers Claver's life and holds pre-Columbian and colonial archaeology, religious art and a collection linked to the Zapata Olivella family. The same source describes guided climbs to the dome viewpoint, in small groups, with 97 steps to the top and a separate fee.
El Universal's 2025 listing gives museum hours of 10:00 to 16:30 from Tuesday to Sunday, with Mondays closed and a paid entry. Times can change, so confirm locally before you go. Allow an hour for the church, cloister and museum, more if you join a dome tour. Modest dress is appropriate in the church.
The church faces the Plaza San Pedro Claver, on the corner of Calle 31 and Carrera 4. The Museo de Arte Moderno de Cartagena is on the same square, and the Museo Naval del Caribe is directly behind the church on the Plaza Santa Teresa, so the three make an easy cultural cluster. The Torre del Reloj is a few minutes' walk away.
Santuario de San Pedro Claver FAQs
Who was Saint Peter Claver?
A Jesuit priest from Verdú in Catalonia who arrived in Cartagena in 1615 and spent his life caring for enslaved Africans arriving at the port. He was canonised in 1888.
Where are his remains?
His remains lie in the main altar of the church that now bears his name.
When was the church built?
Between 1580 and 1654. It was first dedicated to San Juan de Dios and then to San Ignacio de Loyola from 1622.
Is there a museum?
Yes. The Santuario Museo in the former Jesuit cloister covers Claver's life and holds archaeology, religious art and other collections.
Can I climb to the dome?
El Universal reports guided climbs to the dome viewpoint in small groups, with 97 steps and an extra fee. Ask at the museum.
Is the museum open on Mondays?
According to El Universal's 2025 listing it is closed on Mondays and open Tuesday to Sunday. Check locally before visiting.
What is nearby?
The Museo de Arte Moderno is on the same square and the Museo Naval del Caribe is just behind the church on the Plaza Santa Teresa.