The city of color, tradition, history, and most importantly delicious food is Cartagena, Colombia. Cartagena is a vibrant, coastal city where there is much of culture, and where it is deeply influenced by Spanish Colonial architecture, African heritage, and Caribbean rhythms. The city creates a unique and lively atmosphere, making it a captivating destination for travelers seeking a blend of history, vibrant food, and celebrations. Cartagena’s culture is characterized by its colorful streets, festive spirit, delicious seafood, and strong sense of community, all set against the backdrop of its well-preserved Colonial past.
Historical Legacy:
• Spanish Colonial Influence:
Cartagena’s most prominent cultural feature is its beautifully preserved colonial architecture, including the Walled City with its plazas, cathedrals, and fortress, a testament to the Spanish conquest and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• African Roots:
A significant African population brought its traditions, music, and cuisine to Cartagena, evident in the city’s vibrant rhythms and dishes like “Sancocho”, which is a hearty Colombian soup or stew made with meat, vegetables, and herbs. Often served with rice and avocado. When visitors walk around the city, they will see a lot of paintings of African women with significant meanings to each one of them. The city also has a lot of wall art, not like Graffiti art, but beautiful art that will always have a meaning.
• “La Heroica”:
Cartagena is proudly called “La Heroica” (The Heroic City) due to its resistance against pirates in 1586, 1551, 1559, and 1683, and its role in the Colombian independence movement. The Colombian independence movement began on July 20, 1810, when the Junta de Santa Fe was formed in Bogotá. This event led to a decade-long rebellion that resulted in the creation of the Republic of Gran Colombia. The Walled City is also there because it protected the Colombians from the pirates.
Cultural Expressions:
• Music and Dance:
The lively music of Cartagena includes “cumbia,” a traditional dance with strong African influences, often played with drums, accordions, and flutes. There is always music playing everywhere you go. Cartagena is not a place to go to if you want quiet. There is always someone blasting reggaeton, salsa, or cumbia in the streets. There are even street rappers who rap about you and the way you look or where you are from. In this city, music is everywhere.
• Festivals and Celebrations:
Cartagena hosts numerous festivals throughout the year, most notably the “Festival de las Artes” (Arts Festival) and the “Carnaval de Barranquilla,” a vibrant pre-Lenten carnival with parades and music. The parades and carnivals are very popular because this is when people get to show off their culture and have a good time. There are many fun, festive carnivals to enjoy that are highly recommended for anyone who just wants to have a good time. Lining the streets of Cartagena at night are the colorful, long buses with flashy lights, blasting Latin music with a load of passengers onboard who are dancing and celebrating life in the moment. The buses are a vibrant party on wheels; boarding a chiva bus is an amazing introduction to Cartagena’s nightlife.
• Fashion:
The local attire often incorporates bright colors and intricate details, with women adorning themselves with large earrings and colorful skirts.
Food and Drink:
• Seafood Delights:
Given its coastal location, Cartagena is renowned for its fresh seafood dishes like ceviche, “pescado frito” (fried fish), and “arroz con coco” (coconut rice). These are the most common dishes found here. At the beach, especially after enjoying a few hours there, the best dish served is the “arroz con coco y pescado frito.” Foods that are definitely enjoyable are the oven-baked pizza with whatever fresh toppings you desire, the shrimp cocktail that is also sold on the beach; the “arepas con huevos,” a kind of mini pita bread made from ground-up corn, fried, opened, filled with an egg and spiced mince, then re-fried; and Mote de queso, a soup dish. It is originally from the country’s Atlantic Coast and is made with ñame and Costeño cheese (basically cheese soup). Two foods you can never go wrong with “empanadas” and “pan de bono,” which is a type of Colombian bread made of cassava starch, cheese, eggs, and in some regions of the country, guava paste. Traditionally, it is consumed with hot chocolate, still warm a few minutes after baking.
• Street Food:
Local street vendors offer a variety of snacks including “arepas” (corn cakes), “empanadas” (fried pastries), and fresh tropical fruits.
Neighborhoods and Experiences:
• The Walled City: The historic center of Cartagena features cobblestone streets, Colonial buildings, and bustling plazas like Plaza de los Coches.
• Getsemaní: This is a vibrant neighborhood known for its street art, lively nightlife, and authentic local atmosphere.
• Bocagrande: This is a modern beach district with high-rise hotels and a lively tourist scene.
In summary, Cartagena’s culture is a captivating mix of Spanish colonial heritage, African traditions, and Caribbean vibrancy, offering visitors a unique experience marked by colorful architecture, lively music, delicious seafood, and a strong sense of community. This is definitely a destination to add to you places to visit list.
