San Pedro Claver Church

San Pedro Claver Church, in Cartagena

San Pedro Claver Church is a major sanctuary of Cartagena de Indias, dedicated to a saint who devoted his life to the African slaves. The Cartagena audio-guided tour stops here, with respect, to evoke this place of faith and memory, sober and moving.

A sanctuary of faith and memory

For San Pedro Claver Church, in contrast with the colourful decor that surrounds it, beauty does not rhyme with colour: both sober and severe, this religious building was built between 1700 and 1756. It is dedicated to Saint Peter Claver, a Jesuit priest who devoted his life to helping the African slaves landed in the port of Cartagena, at a time when the city was a great centre of the slave trade. Nicknamed the apostle of the slaves, he rests in the church. A place of faith and memory, the sanctuary and its convent invite to contemplation and to the remembrance of this painful history.

What to see

Here you discover, with respect, the sober and severe building, the convent and the grave of Saint Peter Claver, the apostle of the slaves, in an atmosphere of contemplation and memory. San Pedro Claver Church is a major sanctuary of Cartagena. It is a stop of memory to be discovered with respect.

Practical information

San Pedro Claver Church lies in the heart of the old town of Cartagena de Indias, reachable on foot. A place of worship and memory, it can be visited with respect; access follows its own hours, which vary. It is best to check them before coming and to respect the sacred and memorial character of the place.

Who was Saint Peter Claver?

A Jesuit priest who devoted his life to helping the African slaves landed in Cartagena, nicknamed the apostle of the slaves; he rests in the church that bears his name.

Where is San Pedro Claver Church?

In the heart of the old town of Cartagena de Indias, in Colombia.