Cartagena Cathedral (St. Catherine of Alexandria Cathedral)

Today, the cathedral stands out thanks to its domed clock tower and bright yellow-painted facade, and it hosts daily religious services such as Mass. Highlights of the cathedral include a series of exquisite frescos, an 18th-century gilded altar and a gleaming marble pulpit. Standing proud in the heart of Cartagena’s UNESCO-listed Old Town, the cathedral is a regular fixture on walking, photography, and bike tours of the Walled City.

• The church is an active place of worship, so wear respectful clothing (cover shoulders and knees) and keep noise to a minimum on a visit.

• It’s free to enter the cathedral.

• The cathedral is both wheelchair- and stroller-accessible.

The cathedral is located on Calle de los Santos de Piedra on Plaza de la Proclamación. The structure is a 15-minute walk from Las Boveda and only a few minutes from other popular sites such as Plaza del Santo Domingo. It’s also a stop on typical hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus tours.

Cartagena Cathedral is open daily from early morning until the middle of the evening. It’s most crowded on Sundays for the morning Mass services, and it looks particularly spectacular after sunset when the bell tower is illuminated.

The Walled City of Cartagena is renowned for its colorful churches, which date as far back as the 16th century. Not only are the churches’ cool interiors a great place to escape from the midday humidity, they harbor some of the city’s richest history. Top picks include Santo Domingo Church, with its tombstone-paved aisle, and Cathedral of San Pedro Claver de Cartagena (Iglesia de San Pedro Claver), which immortalizes a pioneer of human rights in America.