City Walls

The walls of Cartagena

The walls of Cartagena de Indias gird the old colonial town, witnesses of its past as a fortified port. The Cartagena audio-guided tour stops here to evoke these monumental ramparts, which once protected the city from attacks.

The ramparts of the fortified port

Built from the end of the sixteenth century and reinforced over the centuries, the walls of Cartagena de Indias surround the old town over several kilometres. This monumental defensive system, one of the most complete of Latin America, was erected to protect this strategic port, a rich stopover of colonial trade, from the repeated assaults of pirates and rival powers. Today, the ramparts offer an exceptional promenade, marked by bastions and cannons, with superb views over the Caribbean Sea and the city. Listed on the world heritage, they are the soul and the symbol of Cartagena.

What to see

Here you walk along the monumental ramparts marked by bastions and cannons, with superb views over the Caribbean Sea and the old town. The walls, listed on the world heritage, are the symbol of Cartagena. It is a must-see stop, to be explored on foot.

Practical information

The walls gird the old town of Cartagena de Indias, reachable on foot. They are public ramparts freely accessible; the promenade is particularly beautiful at sunset over the Caribbean Sea. It is best to bring sun protection.

Why were the walls of Cartagena built?

To protect this strategic port of colonial trade from the repeated attacks of pirates and rival powers, from the end of the sixteenth century; they are listed on the world heritage.

Where are the walls of Cartagena?

Around the old town of Cartagena de Indias, in Colombia.