Traveling to Colombia
 

Cartagena de Indias, Colombia. December 4-5, 2008 Help us promote the conference by publishing announcements or including information in your webpage, newsletter, magazine or other sources.

Since its creation, Cartagena de Indias has been a highly influential city in Colombia. In pre-Columbian times, its coasts were inhabited by warrior Caribe indians who would cause problems for more than one colonizing expedition that dared to disembark on their shores.

The city was founded on June 1, 1533, with Spaniard Don Pedro de Heredia giving it the name of "Cartagena de Poniente", to differentiate it from "Cartagena de Levante", in Spain; both with similar bays.

The new city would be a target of greed for English and French invaders, as its location as a slave trade and commercial port made it very appealing to foreigners. Therefore the need to protect and defend the city became very urgent, beginning with the construction of the Fuerte del Boquerón in the 16th century (where the Fuerte del Pastelillo stands today). Over the years, more and more forts were built to surround the city, reflecting the evolution of military art in the 17th and 18th centuries. However, this fortification would not save the city from devastating invasions like that from Barón de Pointis in 1697, which left it in ruins.

In 1610 the first friars of the Tribunal de Penas del Santo Oficio de la Inquisición, (The Inquisition) arrived, extending their power of repression and vigilance until Independence.

Cartagena de Indias was also the seat of viceroys on occasion, such as Don Sebastián de Eslava, who governed for almost ten consecutive years, replacing Santa Fe as the capital of the Nuevo Reino de Granada.

On November 11, 1811 the Acta de Independencia Absoluta (Act of Absolute Independence) from Spain was signed, setting in motion a ten year struggle towards achieving full emancipation. Of the many blockades and sieges that the Villa of Heredia suffered, one that stands out was imposed by Pablo Morillo, El Pacificador, in 1815, who was tasked with recovering this important plaza for the Spanish crown. The city became known as "Cartagena de Indias, Heroic City", after holding up for more than three months of intense siege.

During the republican era, the city entered a long period of stagnation due to its loss as a point of strategic and commercial interest. During the city’s “recession”, Cartagenero Rafael Núñez was elected President of the Republic four times, directing the destiny of the nation from the Heroic City, as some viceroys did in colonial times.

With the reactivation of its economy in the 20th century, Caratgena de Indias was reborn. It has now become a top tourist destination in Colombia known for its fascinating history, and full of hopes and dreams for the future.

From History of Cartagena http://www.cartagenacaribe.com/en/history/historia.htm