Catedral de Santa Catalina de Alejandría
It's Cartagena's cathedral, next to the Plaza de Bolívar. Construction started in the 16th century, and its domed tower is one of the landmarks of the walled city.
- Hours
- Open for masses and visits; hours change depending on services.
- Price
- The tourist visit may have a fee; masses are free.
- Duration
- 0 to 2 hours
- Address
- Calle de los Santos de Piedra at Plaza de Bolívar, Centro histórico, Cartagena
Work on the cathedral began in the 16th century. It was still under construction when the pirate Francis Drake attacked the city in 1586 and damaged it with his cannons, and it was finished in the early 17th century.
The outside is plain, with stone and light-colored walls. The tower, with its painted dome, is more recent and is the one that shows up in almost every photo of the old town's streets.
Inside there are stone arches, a wooden ceiling and a gilded altar. It's a working church: there are masses, and tourist visits happen outside of them.
What to see
- The tower and dome from Calle de los Santos de Piedra.
- The central nave with its arches and wooden ceiling.
- The main altar.
Getting there
- On foot from the Torre del Reloj: about three blocks to the Plaza de Bolívar.
- Taxi to the Plaza de Bolívar.
Tips
- Wear clothes that cover your shoulders and knees to go in.
- Don't go in to sightsee during mass.
- The best photo of the tower is from the streets leading off the Plaza de Bolívar.
FAQ
Where is the Cartagena Cathedral?
On the corner of the Plaza de Bolívar, in the walled city.
Can you go inside?
Yes. It's an active church: you can attend mass freely and there are tourist visiting hours.
How old is it?
It was started in the 16th century and finished in the early 17th; the tower came later.
On the map
Photos: Mauro Lima, Unsplash License · Mauro Lima, Unsplash License · Ricardo Gomez Angel, Unsplash License · Wikimedia Commons
What’s on nearby
21OctConventionCentro de Convenciones Cartagena de IndiasColombian Construction Congress 2026
28OctConferenciaCentro de Convenciones Cartagena de Indias+CTG 2026, Latin American creative economy summit
1NovFestivalCentro Histórico and Avenida SantanderCartagena Independence Festivities 2026
4NovConventionCentro de Convenciones Cartagena de Indias9th Oil, Gas and Energy Summit
25NovConventionCentro de Convenciones Cartagena de Indias23rd National Infrastructure Congress
29NovSportCentro Histórico: finish in front of the Torre del Reloj, transition at Parque de la MarinaIRONMAN 70.3 Cartagena 2026
