The 11 kilometers of Cartagena's famous walls, which surround its historic center, were built at the end of the 16th century to defend the city after Sir Francis Drake's attack. It is the most complete fortification in South America and one of the best preserved walls in the world. Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. As part of its fortification and defense system, it has 21 bastions, the first of which was Santo Domingo.
Built with limestone from the coral reefs, the work on the walls began in 1614 by order of Philip III and took almost two centuries to complete. Along the walls, a system of cisterns was built (generally with a dome and vault) to store rainwater and allow the supply of a city in which water is mostly brackish.
The bastions are pentagonal structures inspired by Italian military architecture that protrude from the wall. They can be toured and visited free of charge. Among them are Santa Catalina, San Ignacio de Loyola and Santo Domingo. There are 69 original and/or restored cannons.
- Extension of walls: 11 kilometers.
- 21 bastions.
