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All 42 Cartagena Attractions »

San Felipe de Barajas Castle

San Lazaro hill, Cartagena, Colombia
Ranked #2 of 17 attractions in Cartagena
4.5 of 5 stars 259 Reviews
Type: Castles
Description: Built by the Spaniards as a defense in colonial times, this is one of the oldest buildings in Colombia.
Useful Information: Activities for older children, Activities for young children
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259 reviews from our community

Visitor rating
    142
    90
    21
    5
    1
Date Rating
Chicago, Illinois
Senior Contributor
30 reviews 30 reviews
Reviews in 11 cities Reviews in 11 cities
30 helpful votes 30 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed May 21, 2012 NEW

Very interesting and detailed audio tour. Well preserved and beautiful views from the top. Must see. More

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See 4 more reviews by kanestel for Cartagena
Cartagena, Colombia
Senior Reviewer
7 reviews 7 reviews
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
5 of 5 stars Reviewed May 10, 2012

This is not a castle but a fort wich was built in 1657 to protect cartagena from pirates attacks ,long time ago during colonial time XVI ,XVII and XVIII century cartagena was the place where Spaniards kept the gold,silver and Emeralds taken from the interior of colombia. Fot that reason cartagena was attacked many times by pirates. This fort and... More

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See 6 more reviews by walterguia for Cartagena
San Jose
Senior Contributor
23 reviews 23 reviews
Reviews in 7 cities Reviews in 7 cities
5 helpful votes 5 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed May 8, 2012

I felt like a time traveler. Site is immaculate, and commands one of the best views in Cartagena. More

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See 3 more reviews by Juan_Carlos55 for Cartagena
Barranquilla, Atlantico, Colombia
Senior Contributor
26 reviews 26 reviews
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
5 of 5 stars Reviewed May 7, 2012

el hotel casa las puntales me ayudo a ubicarme y a llegar ademas estaba cerca. the hotel marries the props I am helped to be located and to arrive furthermore it was close. More

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See 25 more reviews by Juan P for Cartagena
Los Angeles, California
Contributor
18 reviews 18 reviews
Reviews in 8 cities Reviews in 8 cities
18 helpful votes 18 helpful votes
2 of 5 stars Reviewed May 7, 2012

I went here as part of the chiva city tour, so admission was included. Not as nice a view as from the monastery, but not a totally waste of time. Really just the structure remains, no artifacts or other historical items. You get the same idea just driving by. More

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See 3 more reviews by Saigonista for Cartagena
Tallahassee, Florida
Senior Reviewer
7 reviews 7 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
3 of 5 stars Reviewed May 7, 2012

I shared an electronic tour guide which made the experience much more interesting. Don't bother renting if you don't have an hour or 2 to spend there. I thoroughly enjoyed going down the tunnel! More

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See 2 more reviews by Pamela P for Cartagena
New York City, New York
Senior Contributor
34 reviews 34 reviews
Reviews in 14 cities Reviews in 14 cities
8 helpful votes 8 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed April 30, 2012

A little difficult to arrive alone, but definitely a masaterpiece, the underground tunnels are awesome, buy the audio guide, very helpful. Oner Ayan More

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See 4 more reviews by ONER A for Cartagena
Detroit, Michigan
Senior Reviewer
9 reviews 9 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
3 helpful votes 3 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed April 24, 2012

Nice place to take a photo.You see the whole City from there.Also the Castle is sa old and masive.Recommend you to see it on your own. More

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See 6 more reviews by 1puszek for Cartagena
Bogota, Colombia
Senior Reviewer
8 reviews 8 reviews
Reviews in 4 cities Reviews in 4 cities
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed April 23, 2012

its a beautiful place, near to historic city. plenty of caribbean history: pirates, colonial ships, traesures and more... its a huge castle and by the way, really cheap, safe and great view More

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See 2 more reviews by her g for Cartagena
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Senior Contributor
24 reviews 24 reviews
Reviews in 6 cities Reviews in 6 cities
5 helpful votes 5 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed April 18, 2012

This most massive of Spanish forts is interesting and impressive to visit. One can rent an audio guide which describes the fort in English or Spanish. But even with the audio guide there are no signs to describe parts of the fort. The audio guide comes with a map of the fort to which one must refer to get to... More

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See 11 more reviews by Richard289 for Cartagena

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