Baluarte de Santo Domingo (Bastion of Santo Domingo), Cartagena

Baluarte de Santo Domingo (Bastion of Santo Domingo), Cartagena

The Bastion of Santo Domingo (Baluarte de Santo Domingo) is a fortification, the origin of the Cartagena city walls constructed to protect the town against attacks. Soon after explorer Francis Drake pillaged Cartagena in 1586, plans were made to create a bastion to secure access to the city.

There are several things to see during your exploration of this large fortification. The stonework and masonry walls are well preserved. On the top of the bastion are rows of iron cannons resting along the parapet. At the front corner of the triangular-shaped structure is a small stone turret used as a watch tower.

This structure is located right next to the harbor and offers breathtaking panoramic views of the city skyline and the Caribbean Sea. Cafe del Mar, a lively restaurant and bar with plenty of outdoor tables, has a central location on top of the bastion. It's a fun spot to stop and take in the magnificent views, enjoy a drink, listen to music, and watch the sunset.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Cartagena. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Baluarte de Santo Domingo (Bastion of Santo Domingo) on Map

Sight Name: Baluarte de Santo Domingo (Bastion of Santo Domingo)
Sight Location: Cartagena, Colombia (See walking tours in Cartagena)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Cartagena, Colombia

Create Your Own Walk in Cartagena

Create Your Own Walk in Cartagena

Creating your own self-guided walk in Cartagena is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Getsemani Public Arts Walking Tour

Getsemani Public Arts Walking Tour

Long known as the "neighborhood of the poor" ill-reputed for criminal activity, the district of Getsemani has recently undergone massive gentrification to become Cartagena's hippest area and one of Latin America's newest hotspots. The local plazas, once occupied by drug dealers, have been reclaimed, and the derelict buildings turned into boutique hotels.

But most...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.8 Km or 0.5 Miles
Cartagena Introduction Walking Tour

Cartagena Introduction Walking Tour

Cartagena is a charming port city situated on the Caribbean coast of Colombia, South America. It was founded in 1533 by Pedro de Heredia, a Spanish conquistador. The city is known in Spanish as "Cartagena of Indies" and is named after the city of Cartagena in Spain.

In the pre-Columbian era, indigenous people became settled in the region. The Puerto Hormiga culture dates back as early...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles
Colonial Architecture Walk

Colonial Architecture Walk

Visiting Cartagena can be a remarkable experience, especially for those keen on architecture. The beautifully-preserved, mostly colonial-style, buildings in the historic center have long been one of the main attributes of this once burgeoning Colombian town.

Recognizing colonial Cartagena is easy, as it is surrounded by colossal stone walls tracing the outline of the old city. The downtown...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.0 Km or 1.2 Miles

Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip


15 Tips to Have Fun in Cartagena De Indias, Colombia

15 Tips to Have Fun in Cartagena De Indias, Colombia

Because of its troubled past, you will hear many nicknames to describe Cartagena de Indias. The magic city, The Heroic, The Rock Corral, The jewel of the Caribbean Coast. The mere mention of them allows you to travel through the history, from pirates and slavery to the revolutions for their...