Santa Cruz de la Popa Convent, Cartagena de Indias

Santa Cruz de la Popa Convent, Cartagena de Indias

South America

Whether by land, water or air, the first thing we see when arriving in Cartagena de Indias is Cerro de la Popa, a small hill 148 meters high. From up there, the view is impressive. On clear days, it reaches the walled city, Boquilla and the limits of the northern area of ​​Cartagena and goes beyond the Caribbean Sea and Tierrabomba Island.

As it is the highest point in the city, Cerro de la Popa has always had attention focused on it. In times of Spanish domination, it housed farmers and fishermen in its surroundings. At the beginning of the 17th century, however, the city administration decided to give the place a more sacred purpose: it was decided that, at the top of the hill, a convent would be built, occupied by the Augustinian order. Built for the first time in 1607, the Convento Santa Cruz de la Popa impresses at the entrance, with its beautiful flower-filled cloister.

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View from Cerro de la Popa - Cartagena de Indias

Far from the protection of Cartagena’s walls, the convent with colonial architecture was built with imposing walls and pilasters to deal with pirate attacks and bombings. The strategy was not in vain: the place was, for a long time, used for military purposes, being practically destroyed in 1816, during the war of independence.

Inside, there is a small but friendly church dedicated to the Virgen de la Candelaria, as well as a museum of religious items. In 1986, the convent received the blessing of Pope John Paul II in person.

La Popa - Church in Cartagena de Indias

Convent in Cartagena de Indias - La Popa

Read too: What to do in Cartagena de Indias

Anyone in the city between January 24th and February 2nd has one more reason to visit the convent: at that time, hundreds of people climb Cerro de la Popa every day. The place is full of devotees of the city’s patron saint, who pray novenas and give thanks for the graces achieved. On the last day of the pilgrimage, the Festa de La Candelaria de La Popa takes place, a procession that goes from the monastery to the chapel in the Pie de La Popa neighborhood.

How to get to Santa Cruz de La Popa Convent

In principle, it is possible to do the walk or bicycle, but the journey is long and tiring. There is no public transport that goes up the hill, so the best alternative to visiting independently is by taxi, with a closed fare (they don’t use a meter). Remember to negotiate the round trip price, as you don’t want to be stuck at the top of the hill with no way to get back – that’s asking to be extorted.

Santa Cruz de La Popa Convent - Cartagena de Indias

Another option is to hire a travel agency to carry out the tour. There are several of them in and around the walled city, especially in Plaza de los Coaches. However, you will be part of larger groups and will likely bump into several other groups during your visit.

Entrance costs 10,000 Colombian pesos for adults (5 dollars) and 8,000 for children. The convent is open every day, from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm. Visit in the morning, when the sky is clearer, or in the late afternoon, to enjoy the sunset.

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