San Felipe de Barajas Castle, an architectural work defending Cartagena

The San Felipe de Barajas Castle is typically a have to-see on the touristic agenda of all those who journey to Cartagena for the first time. The fortress created throughout Spanish colonization is the most significant military intricate of all these constructed by the Spanish on the American continent.

The fortification is positioned on a hill in the metropolis identified as San Lazaro, and was developed in 1657 during the Spanish colonial interval. During the yrs, it experienced consistent assaults by the English and French, and French Commander Baron de Pointis took possession of the design in the center of 1697.

The castle took extra than a century to be crafted, beginning in 1536 and long lasting until finally 1657. The goal of the get the job done was to be able to observe the ongoing invasions and attacks the metropolis suffered at the fingers of English and French armies and pirates, and to enable protect itself.

One particular of the most well-known assaults was one suffered at the hands of the English in 1741. That calendar year, Edward Vernon attacked Cartagena with an military of extra than 27,000 troopers, 186 warships and 2,000 cannons.

Vernon did not obtain his objective, as the Spaniard Blas de Lezo, with only 3,600 adult men and six ships, managed to defeat the English armada in just one of the most amazing heroic deeds of military heritage in Cartagena.

In 1984, UNESCO involved the Historic Center of the town of Cartagena, its fortifications and the San Felipe de Barajas Castle on the record of Globe Heritage Web pages, as it is viewed as 1 of the seven miracles of Colombia. 

The fortification is also element of the Historical and Cultural Heritage of Colombia, in accordance to data obtained by means of the Ministry of Tradition of the state.