Castillo San Felipe de Barajas
Castillo San Felipe de Barajas is a 16th century military fort located in the historic part of the Colombian city of Cartagena. The fortress buildings look very spectacular: they occupy the top of San Lazaro Hill and rise 25 meters above the surrounding buildings. The main structures of the fortress have dimensions of 300 by 100 meters. The ancient fortifications of San Felipe de Barajas are recognized as one of the “Seven Wonders of Colombia” and since 1984 have been included by UNESCO in the list of World Heritage Sites.
Video: San Felipe de Barajas Fortress
Highlights
Despite its advanced age, the military fort has been perfectly preserved and today is a popular attraction in Cartagena. Cultural events and meetings of political and social organizations are constantly held within the walls of the fort.
In the lower bastion of Santa Catalina, a fortification museum is open. Here travelers can learn about the history of the fort’s construction and the many sieges that the Cartagena fortress has had to endure over the centuries. The San Felipe de Barajas Fortress is open to visitors daily from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and the museum is open until 5:00 p.m.
.In front of the fort stands a monument to the Spanish military commander Blas de Lezo, who commanded the defense of the city in the mid-18th century.
.History of the fortress of San Felipe de Barajas
In 1536, near the seashore, slaves began to build the powerful fort of Castillo de San Lazaro. In the mid-seventeenth century, the fortifications were greatly expanded, and they were named after the Spanish monarch Philip IV.
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Military technology developed, so the old fort was reconstructed several more times. The most extensive rebuilding here took place between 1762 and 1769. The work was led by the architect Antonio de Arevalo. Thanks to him, the fortress had triangular bastions equipped with eight guns, which were served by 4 artillerymen and 20 soldiers..
The fortress of San Felipe de Barajas took part in armed conflicts and suffered several times from superior enemy forces. At the end of the 17th century, it was captured by the forces of the French naval officer and corsair Jean-Bernard Pointis. In 1741, the city was attacked by the warriors of English Admiral Edward Vernon. However, the experienced Admiral Blas de Leso organized the defense so well that the British retreated.
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By the beginning of the XIX century the fort had 63 cannons, and its garrison numbered three and a half hundred soldiers. A year’s supply of provisions and a large number of weapons were stored here, and the fortress buildings and the city were connected by dungeons. With the formation of New Granada, the fortress of San Felipe de Barajas came under the jurisdiction of the new state. But in 1815 the Spanish troops under General Pablo Morillo approached the city, and under their onslaught the fortress was forced to capitulate.
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When the military conflicts ended, the old fort was abandoned. Its grounds quickly became overgrown with tropical greenery, and many of the rooms were covered with earth.
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How to get there
The Fortress of San Felipe de Barajas rises near the Caribbean coast, on the hill of San Lazaro. Next to it is the Plaza El Castillo, a large shopping center. It can be reached by public transportation or cab. It takes 20 minutes to walk to the fortress from the Old Town.
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