Casa del Marqués de Valdehoyos (Marquis of Valdehoyos' House), Cartagena

The Casa del Marqués de Valdehoyos – the former residence of the Marquis of Valdehoyos – is one of the most representative pieces of colonial architecture in Cartagena. The home was built in 1765.

Located on Calle de la Factoría, at the time, this stately property fully met the conditions required to fulfill the functions of both housing and a place of commerce. The Marquis, who happened to be actively involved in the import of flour and slaves to Cartagena de Indias, loved to run his business inside this very house, and quite profitably, too.

The facade of the palace, still clad in its original color, features wooden bars protruding over the ground floor, with a large balcony on the mezzanine and a portal with pilasters.

Inside, the entrance hall with a ceiling, typically supported by beams, is followed by another hall with a staircase leading to the doorman's quarters on the right, and a large balcony on the left. On the upper floor, there is a large room connected by corridors that cantilever over the courtyard.

The inner courtyard is surrounded by semicircular arches supported by shaft columns, replicating the style of colonial Cartagena cloisters. One of its sides is flanked by balconies, while the opposite side is closed by a low wall, which allows the circulation of sea breeze.

Liberator Simón Bolívar had spent two seasons in this mansion after liberating Cartagena. Currently, the house accommodates the offices of the Alternate Chancellery of the Republic of Colombia.