Las Bovedas (The Vaults), Cartagena

Exploring the Old City of Cartagena one cannot miss the immense arcade of columns and arches of bright golden color, located between the forts of Santa Clara and Santa Catalina. Known as Las Bóvedas (The Vaults), this building is indeed massive. Its walls – 15 meters thick(!) – were originally intended to protect a military storehouse.

The 23 bombproof arcades were built between 1789 and 1795 to a design by Antonio de Arebalo, a military engineer who worked on all fortifications in Cartagena. The 47 porticos were added in 1798. For a while, the vaults were used by the Spanish Crown as a garrison, the same purpose later used by republican forces. During the civil wars in the 19th century, the vaults were utilized as prison cells; at high tide, the unfortunate inmates had to stand up to their knees in seawater.

Nowadays, the building has become a lively marketplace, with the dungeon cells accommodating boutiques and other businesses. Inside the numbered vaults shops are selling a vast array of souvenirs: handcrafted items, paintings, colorful clothing, jewelry, and more. Together with the breathtaking view of the Caribbean Sea, this makes Las Bóvedas a popular tourist destination, appealing to those who love to stroll along the arcaded walkway whilst exploring traditional Colombian merchandise in this historic landmark.