Invasions Evaded
Underground Tunnels Lead to Thwarted Plans
Visiting South America’s Largest Spanish Fortification
The largest colonial Spanish fortification on mainland South America, the Castillo San Felipe Fortress in Cartagena, Colombia has a rich history.
It was built in the 17th century. I have read a few different stories about whether or not it ever fell to an attack. I read that it fell once to the French but later successfully thwarted the plans of a large English force and I also read that it has never fallen and was the greatest fortress ever built by the Spanish. In the late 18th century, the fortress was expanded to the massive and imposing fortress one can see today, it stands as a testament to Cartagena’s colonial opulence and importance to the Spanish Empire.
The Defense of Cartagena
The Chuck Norris of fortresses, unconquerable
The colonial fortress is known as the most impregnable fortress ever built by the Spanish in the Americas.
Castillo San Felipe was built in the 1600s in what many historians believe was the single most lucrative, and looted, port city. Cartagena was the capital of trade and a city which was easy enough to breach, both by land and sea. Until an 11km defensive wall was built, dotted by cannons and backed up by a complex of forts. The genius of San Felipe lies very much in its design. This one giant complex is actually a collection of smaller forts, making it impossible to take and secure the entire thing.
The forts were connected by underground tunnels, which are the most enticing parts to explore, the lighting is minimal, allowing visitors to get a feel of the castle’s interesting history – an eerie walk not to be missed.
Now You Know!
You can easily walk from any of the surrounding Barrios. It is an easy walk from Barrio Manga, Barrio Centro, Getsemani, etc.
It would also be easily walked to from Boca Grande, but the walk would be around 3km each way.
Address:
Carrera 17, Cartagena 130002 Colombia
Cost:
COP 25,000 | USD $7 | CAD $9
I did attempt to go on a Sunday afternoon the first time, but the line up was horrendous and to stand in the heat with no one respecting social distancing…that was a hard pass for me.
So I decided to return for opening hours (8am) on a Wednesday and I pretty much had the place to myself.
Hours:
Daily 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Download this self-guided walking tour for $10 ish instead of paying for one of the tours offered there.
Make sure you either download the audio clips before you get there or have wifi access. The day I went, there was no wifi available at the fortress.
