Santa Catalina Cathedral

The Santa Catalina Cathedral is the ultimate must-see in Cartagena’s historic centre. It’s hard to miss, and it often catches visitors’ eyes from a distance. Whether it’s the towering spire, vibrant colours, or both, something about it draws you in. Built from 1577 to replace an earlier structure made of straw and reeds, Santa Catalina is one of the oldest cathedrals of its kind in South America. It wasn’t completed until 1612, as much of its construction was interrupted by a dramatic historical event. In 1586, the English pirate Francis Drake ruthlessly burned Cartagena and demanded a hefty ransom. When the locals refused, he fired three cannon shots at the unfinished cathedral, threatening to destroy it. Threatened with the loss of this priceless building, the people eventually gave in and paid Drake’s ransom to secure peace. During repairs, the master builder Simón González took inspiration from Andalusian and Canary Island basilicas, giving the cathedral a Spanish Renaissance style. The tower and dome were added later, between 1661 and 1681, thanks to the archbishop’s vision and the expertise of a French architect. Inside, little has changed, except for the removal of a false vault in the central nave in 1973. Today, the interior remains simple yet elegant, with white colonnades and a wooden ceiling.