Overview:

: The Castillo San Felipe de Barajas - Cartagena in Colombia is a fortress built by the Spanish in the 1630s to defend Cartagena against pirate attacks. It is situated on the hill of San Lazaro overlooking the city of Cartagena and is considered to be the greatest example of Spanish military engineering in the Americas. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is a popular tourist attraction. The castle is a complex structure with four fortifications, a ditch, tunnels, drawbridges, and a series of buildings. It stands as a testimony to the defensive capabilities of the Spaniards during colonial times. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Colombia
Prominent Features:

1. Unique star fortress design: Castillo San Felipe de Barajas in Cartagena is renowned for its unique design and architecture which features a star shaped fortress with walls extending out in five directions. 2. Largely intact fortifications: The fortifications at Castillo San Felipe de Barajas are largely intact, making it one of the best-preserved examples of military architecture from the Spanish colonial era. 3. Multiple moats: The fortification consists of multiple moats, including an outer and an inner one, as well as a drawbridge that connected the two. 4. Extensive labyrinth of tunnels: Inside Castillo San Felipe de Barajas is an extensive labyrinth of tunnels leading to various areas of the fortification, including gunpowder compartments, storage rooms, and guard towers. 5. Strategic defensive location: Built on a hilltop overlooking the Caribbean Sea, the fortification was strategically placed to protect the city of Cartagena from naval attacks. This national monument of Colombia portrays the history and culture of the country.

History:

Castillo San Felipe de Barajas is a large fortification situated in the city of Cartagena, Colombia. Built in the 16th century to guard the city against attack by foreign invaders, the fort has sustained several reconstructions and additions throughout its long history. Construction of the fort began under the rule of the Spanish viceroy in 1536, originally made of stone masonry and mortar. Commissioned by Don Pedro de Heredia, founder of the city, the fortification was intended to guard the entrance to Cartagena's harbor. Part of the El Cobre Canyon that separates the Old Town from the Bocachica channel and the harbor mouth, the fortification was given the full name of Castillo San Felipe de Barajes. During the colonial period, the fort was attacked several times. In 1697, during the War of the Grand Alliance, it was attacked by a fleet of British ships and a force of 6,000 troops, led by Admiral John Leake. After a three-month siege, the fort provided defense for the city, but ultimately fell to the invaders. In 1741, the Spanish navy re-took control of the fort and reinforced it using the strategic construction designs of renowned military engineer, Don Antonio de Arévalo. In particular, Arévalo utilized an ingenious configuration of tunnels, bunkers and moats to reinforce the fort’s defense. This addition formed three defensive lines of fortifications, known as the Lower, Middle and Upper Lines. Throughout the 19th century, the fort changed hands multiple times due to the multiple invasions and wars that took place in and around Colombia. In 1862, during the Great War of the Pacific between Colombia, Chile and Peru, the fort was an integral part of the defense of Cartagena, firmly fending off foreign troops despite its strong bombardment. After the war, Castillo San Felipe de Barajes was declared a National Monument and Historic Site by the Colombian government in 1921, and it was later named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984. Today, Castillo San Felipe de Barajes remains one of the most important historical landmarks in Colombia, and continues to be a source of cultural pride for the people of Cartagena. You must visit one of these historical places in Colombia on your Colombia tour

Interesting facts:

1. Castillo San Felipe de Barajas is a fortress located in Cartagena, Colombia. It is the largest military fortress built by the Spanish in the new world. 2. It is known for renowned architectural fortress built in the late 1600s as part of the greatest fortifications ever built by any colonial power. 3. It is also known as the most impressive monuments of military architecture in South America. 4. This fortress stands as a powerful symbol of Spanish colonial power in Colombia and is considered a world heritage site as part of Cartagena’s walled city. 5. The fort was designed to prevent invasions by sea and is well known for its ingenious tunneling systems used to conceal entryways and surprise enemies. 6. The fort is located on the Caribbean Sea, on top of Mount San Lázaro, and overlooks the Old City of Cartagena. 7. The fort is composed of twelve bastions, 18 casemates and 11 gates and has an open court and as well as underground passages that form a maze-like system and contain hidden doors and 300 rooms. 8. The walls of the fort are among the strongest of the Spanish fortifications in South America. 9. The fortifications making it one of the few Spanish fortresses in South America that has never been taken by force. 10. Every December 18, on Colombia’s independence day, Castillo San Felipe de Barajas is illuminated all night as a celebration of freedom. Visit one of the famous monuments of Colombia with your friends and family.