Boca del Puente, Puerta del Reloj, Torre del Reloj... This iconic landmark goes by many names, and Cartagena wouldn’t be the same without it. Built in the 18th century by a military engineer, this 30-meter-tall structure once served as the main entrance to the walled city. It stands on the exact spot where a drawbridge once connected the Getsemaní neighbourhood to the historic centre, acting as a point of passage and a critical line of defense against pirates and invaders. After being partially destroyed in 1704, the Torre del Reloj was rebuilt and expanded to include two side vaults, used to store weapons and supplies. Interestingly, the tower didn’t get its first clock until 1874, which was imported from North America. That clock stayed here for 63 years before being replaced by four new faces, brought over from Switzerland. But why four? When the tower’s original square design was changed into an octagon, it made sense that you could look up and see the time wherever you were in Cartagena. Let’s be honest, when you’re on holiday in a place like this, losing track of time is both easy and part of the charm.