Plaza de los Coches (Square of the Carriages), Cartagena

Plaza de los Coches (Square of the Carriages), Cartagena

Square of the Carriages (Plaza de los Coches) is a historic square located in the heart of the walled city of Cartagena. This vibrant place is one of the city's most popular tourist destinations, known for its lively atmosphere, charming colonial architecture, and rich cultural history.

The square, originally known as Slave Square (Plaza del Esclavo), was where African slaves were bought and sold during the colonial period. In the early 19th century, the square was renamed Square of the Carriages as it became a popular spot for carriages to pick up and drop off passengers.

The square is bordered by several impressive colonial-era buildings, including the 18th-century Clock Tower and the Governor's Palace, which now houses the Museum of History of Cartagena. The architecture of these buildings reflects the city's rich cultural heritage and adds to the charm of the square.

Today, Square of the Carriages is a bustling hub of activity where visitors can find street vendors selling souvenirs, local food and drinks, and musicians playing traditional Colombian music. The area is also surrounded by shops, restaurants, and cafes.

The square was a hub of social and cultural activity during the colonial era. It hosted bullfights, theatrical performances, and religious processions, which attracted people from all over the city.

The statue located in the Square of the Carriages depicts Pedro de Heredia, the Spanish conquistador who founded the city of Cartagena in 1533. The statue was erected in 1937 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the city's founding. It stands at the center of the square and is a popular spot for tourists to take photos.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Cartagena. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Plaza de los Coches (Square of the Carriages) on Map

Sight Name: Plaza de los Coches (Square of the Carriages)
Sight Location: Cartagena, Colombia (See walking tours in Cartagena)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark

Walking Tours in Cartagena, Colombia

Create Your Own Walk in Cartagena

Create Your Own Walk in Cartagena

Creating your own self-guided walk in Cartagena is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Cartagena Introduction Walking Tour

Cartagena Introduction Walking Tour

Cartagena is a charming port city situated on the Caribbean coast of Colombia, South America. It was founded in 1533 by Pedro de Heredia, a Spanish conquistador. The city is known in Spanish as "Cartagena of Indies" and is named after the city of Cartagena in Spain.

In the pre-Columbian era, indigenous people became settled in the region. The Puerto Hormiga culture dates back as early...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles
Colonial Architecture Walk

Colonial Architecture Walk

Visiting Cartagena can be a remarkable experience, especially for those keen on architecture. The beautifully-preserved, mostly colonial-style, buildings in the historic center have long been one of the main attributes of this once burgeoning Colombian town.

Recognizing colonial Cartagena is easy, as it is surrounded by colossal stone walls tracing the outline of the old city. The downtown...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.0 Km or 1.2 Miles
Getsemani Public Arts Walking Tour

Getsemani Public Arts Walking Tour

Long known as the "neighborhood of the poor" ill-reputed for criminal activity, the district of Getsemani has recently undergone massive gentrification to become Cartagena's hippest area and one of Latin America's newest hotspots. The local plazas, once occupied by drug dealers, have been reclaimed, and the derelict buildings turned into boutique hotels.

But most...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.8 Km or 0.5 Miles

Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip


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