Cartagena de Indias: fascinating facts that have shaped its 492-year history

Cartagena de Indias: fascinating facts that have shaped its 492-year history

June 1, 2025, marks the 492nd birthday of the heroic city of Cartagena de Indias—a true jewel of the Colombian Caribbean. Over the centuries, this city has not only lived through but also endured and triumphed over countless moments in history. These experiences—marked by stone, sea, and salt—have woven themselves into the soul and skin of its people and into the memories of countless visitors.

Known by various names and nicknames drawn from its rich history and the inspiration it has given to writers and musicians alike, Cartagena is called “Corralito de Piedra”  for the shape of its iconic colonial wall, and “La Fantástica”  thanks to the emotion and pride captured in the song by acclaimed Colombian artist Carlos Vives.

To better understand this “Noble rincón de mis abuelos,” as local poet Luis Carlos López wrote in “A mi Ciudad Nativa”, here are some little-known facts and stories that have played a fundamental role in shaping the Cartagena you experience and enjoy today.

Its name: Cartagena de Indias

On June 1, 1533, Spanish conquistador Pedro de Heredia arrived and found that the shape and strategic position of the bay resembled the port city of Cartagena, in Murcia, southeastern Spain. He decided to name it the same—but added “de Indias” under the belief that these lands were part of the Asian continent then known as Las Indias.

Why It’s Called “La Heroica”

The title “La Heroica” was earned in 1815. After declaring independence from the Spanish crown in 1811 and becoming a symbol of the independence movement, Cartagena faced a brutal siege. A Spanish military expedition under the command of Pablo Morillo, known as "el pacificador" blockaded the city by land and sea, cutting off all food and water supplies.

The people of Cartagena, with immense courage, held out for over 100 days. More than 6,000 people died during the siege. In recognition of this extraordinary bravery, Simón Bolívar gave the city its now-famous title.

The oldest university in the Colombian Caribbean

The Universidad de Cartagena was founded in 1827 by Simón Bolívar and Francisco de Paula Santander, and was officially inaugurated on November 11, 1828, during the city’s Independence Day celebrations.

Its main campus is still located in the Claustro de San Agustín, where it was originally founded, and it has several other sites across the city. It is nationally and internationally accredited for academic excellence and its strong educational mission.

Cartagena had a train

Back in 1894, a 98-kilometer railway connected the puerto de  Cartagena with the Río Magdalena, ending in the town of Calamar. The route passed through Turbaco, Arjona, Arenal, Soplaviento, and Hatoviejo, and brought not just goods but also families and friends together—making every arrival an occasion for joy.The train was vital for commerce and contributed to Cartagena’s rise as a key port. However, with the growth of road transport in the mid-20th century, the railway declined and eventually disappeared.

Kola Román: the oldest soft drink in the world

The story of Kola Román began in 1834 when Spanish pharmacist Don Manuel Román y Picón arrived in Cartagena and opened the Botica Román, which later became Laboratorios Román, known for producing the city's most important medicines.

In 1865, his son Enrique Román, along with Luis Carrillo, developed the drink’s first flavor. By 1883, together with his brothers Carlos and Antonio Román, they perfected carbonation, giving birth to a product that remains a key part of Cartagena’s identity.

Even after Coca-Cola entered the market in 1927, Kola Román held its own. In 1982, a licensing deal allowed Coca-Cola to use the brand—under the firm condition of preserving the original recipe and the Román name.

Today, its flavor is not only iconic in drinks but also used in local dishes like plátano en tentación, la Kola with milk, paletas, bolis, raspados, and ice- cream —including a zero sugar line.

Colombia’s first major retail chain

Founded in 1906, J.V. Mogollón y Cía. was the country’s first major chain store and was the parent company of the iconic Talleres Mogollón. This business played a key role in Cartagena’s industrial and commercial growth in the 20th century.

With the first lithographic and printing machines in Colombia, it was led by the visionary José Vicente Mogollón, who brought innovations from his travels abroad. The company expanded to multiple Colombian cities and produced the first white-sheet notebooks in the country.

Its building—located in the historic center—is considered Cartagena’s first modern architectural project and is now part of Colombia’s neoclassical architectural heritage.

The iconic Plaza de Toros that was transformed into an exclusive Shopping Center

La Serrezuela has a fascinating past. Built in 1893 by brothers Carlos and Fernando Vélez Daníes, it was modeled after the Plaza de Toros La Maestranza in Sevilla, España. Originally made of wood, it hosted major bullfighting events and even open-air movies.

Over time, it also became a venue for musical shows, boxing matches, and the Festival de Música del Caribe. After decades of neglect, a restoration effort in 2019 preserved its original architectural lines while transforming it into the exclusive Centro Comercial La Serrezuela—now home to luxury brands and the recipient of prestigious international architecture awards.

From Convento de las Clarisas to luxury hotel

In 1621, the Orden de las Hermanas Clarisas established one of Nueva Granada’s five religious communities in Cartagena. Their convent, Las Clarisas, housed cloistered nuns until 1861, when government expropriation forced their departure.

After that, the site served as a jail, charity hospital, medical school, fine arts school, and city morgue. During periods of abandonment, it inspired many stories of ghosts and mystery among locals in the San Diego neighborhood.

After extensive renovations, the space reopened in 1995 as the Sofitel Legend Santa Clara, one of Cartagena’s most exclusive hotels. It beautifully blends original architectural features with modern luxury, marking a new chapter in the city’s tourism story.

For visitors, learning the facts, customs, and traditions of a city means understanding reasons and places beyond a simple stay. For locals, it means embracing their roots, sharing stories, people, and experiences to hold on to their origins and keep their essence alive.

Rosario Ortiz Conde