This characteristic and striking vaulted building in the historic center of Cartagena was created to house the royal troops of Spain, store ammunition and defend a section of the walls. In addition, the vaults served the defense of the city. Designed to be bomb-proof, they resisted explosives and soldiers could fire from the loopholes in the outer facade. During the independence period, it was the place where Francisco de Paula Santander was imprisoned.
On the outside, the portico of the facade is of neoclassical style with 47 semicircular arches and 23 symmetrical barrel vaults. The building has a triangular pediment on which is carved in marble the coat of arms of Spain. It also has two ventilation chimneys, designed, due to the high temperatures of Cartagena, to allow the circulation of air through passages that communicated the interior.
Today it is a center for the sale of handicrafts and souvenirs that in the past also served as a liquor industry and even a jail.
Open to the public from 9 am to 7 pm.
