We looked forward to visiting Cartegena, Colombia: neither of us had been to South America before.  We had not even located it on a map until Princess Cruise put it on the itinerary. There it was, our destination on the fourth day of the cruise.

From the shore line, Colombia is a sprawling seaport, with several terminals for container ships.  Our guide gave us the panoramic view at the top of  The Castillo San Felipe de Barajas (San Felipe de Barajas Castle), a vision of prosperity.  That would be the initial story of any thriving city.

That Cartegena was historically Catholic is visible everywhere. Below, the exterior and interior of  San Pedro Klavier, only a few steps from San Felipe. The crypt, if course, contains the remnants of the founder, Pedro Klaver. The church is part of a set of religious buildings that is complemented by the Cloister of San Pedro Claver and the archaeological museum.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Included in the museum’s story of the civilizing of Cartegena is the story of African American slavery. It sets a sobering counterpoint to the prosperity story. Below a painting from the colonial era, with an abolitionist perspective. Cartegena completely abolished slavery in 1852. Progressive.

Another landmark of Cartegena is the  impressive basilica, just a few steps from San Pedro Klaver. Thr giant tryptich at the front of the cathedral depicts the history that leads to the founding of the church

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have to mention that the grand history of the city did not block our  memories of disturbing poverty just beyond the sights on our tour. Below the ingenious representation of two men alongside a spherical sculpture, whose purpose I forget.  I was sorry not to have the right denomination of bills to recognize their perfect transformation to living scupture.