History of Cartagena Colombia

CARTAGENA COLOMBIA
		As you walk along the cobblestone streets of the old city, it's easy to imagine the whispers of history in the gentle breezes coming off the Carribean Sea. The City of Cartagena, Colombia was founded in 1533 by Spanish explorer Pedro de Heredia. Due to its location and significant port it became the jewel of the Spanish Crown. The city became the main holding point for the wealth of gold and gems destined for the Spanish Monarchy. As the city began to incur invasions and attacks by pirates, King Ferdinand of Spain ordered the city to be fortified and a castle to be erected. Castillo San Felipe was a massive undertaking, which took almost 200 years and cost close to 245 tons of gold to complete. The city was sieged and plundered several times by Sir Francis Drake in the years 1544, 1560 and 1586. Edward Vernon of England held the city in 1741 for three months with a fleet of 186 ships and 25,000 men, outnumbering the Spanish by odds of seven to one. In the end he failed to capture the fort. His failed attempt claimed more than 70 ships and over 10,000 casualties. Cartagena today is a modern city that exudes an intoxicating charisma old and new. In 1985 it was given the honor as a UNESCO World Heritage City. It offers many fine hotels an excellent combination of local American and European restaurants with an exciting nightlife that pulsates to the colorful rhythm of the Caribbean.

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