Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas
Castillo de San Felipe De Baraja
The historic Spanish Fortress "Castillo de San Felipe De Barajas," majestically stands guard on a hillside overlooking the city and harbor.
In Cartagena there are a handful of impressive Spanish forts, including the
17th-century Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas, undoubtedly the greatest and
strongest fortress ever built by the Spaniards in their colonies.
Cartagena was founded in 1533 by Spanish Conquistador Explorers led by Pedro de
Heredia. Within months of their landing, they had decimated and enslaved the
indigenous native Calamari tribe of Indians and became the masters of this soon
to be very important port. It became the treasure city of the Spanish Main and
served as the primary transshipment port for precious gems and minerals destined
for the coffers of King Ferdinand. Many Spanish Galleons, laden with riches from
the new world, were attacked and seized by Pirates and English war ships. King
Ferdinand ordered the city to be fortified to protect Spain's treasures. The
fortress you see today and the Castillo San Felipe took nearly 200 years and 245
tons of gold to build.
Cartagena suffered invasions and sackings in 1544, 1560 and in 1586 (by Sir
Francis Drake). In 1741, the English Commander, Edward Vernon, with 186 ships
and 25,000 men laid a three month siege to the city. He was so certain that
Cartagena would be his, he had a medal struck commemorating his expected
victory. However, the Spaniards, outnumbered seven to one, held firm behind
their walls and fortresses. The smaller cannons on the English ships were able
to bombard the outer walls of the fortress seen today as you drive along Boca
Grande beach but could not reach the distances and heights of Castillo San
Felipe. The castle's cannons on the other hand, made prime targets of the
English ships whenever they ventured within range. Vernon lost over 70 ships and
10,000 men in his ill fated attempt to take the city.
view of new Cartagena
holding up the cannon
inspecting the cannon
View of old Cartagena (the walled city)
