Cartagena Cathedral
Cartegena’s colonial cathedral dating back to the 1500s
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The Cathedral of Cartagena de Indias, officially the Catedral de Santa Catalina de Alejandría, is one of the key landmarks of the walled city and an easy point of orientation as you wander the historic centre. Its lemon-yellow façade and distinctive bell tower rise above the rooftops, so you’ll keep glimpsing it as you turn through the streets.
Construction began in the late 16th century, though progress was dramatically interrupted in 1586 when Francis Drake’s cannon fire damaged the half-built church. Completed in 1612, the cathedral you see today mixes solid colonial lines with a warm, lived-in feel rather than grand European opulence. Step inside and you’ll find coral-stone columns, a handsome wooden ceiling and a richly carved, gold-toned main altar that rewards a slow look from the back pews.
You can usually enter freely outside of services; there’s no strict dress code, but it’s considerate to cover shoulders and avoid beachwear, especially if Mass is in progress. Photography is generally allowed, though it’s best to move quietly and skip flash during worship.
If you’d like atmosphere rather than crowds, aim for early morning, when the old town is still cool and the light on the façade is soft, or drop by around sunset, when the plaza outside fills with street vendors and musicians. Many walking tours pause here, but it’s also worth returning on your own to simply sit for a few minutes – the cathedral is less a checklist sight and more a calm counterpoint to Cartagena’s busy streets.
Essential Information
Website: catedral-de-santa-catalina-de-alejandria.com-place.com
Hours: 7am-8pm
Tickets: Free entry
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