Cartagena de India joins World Network of Religious Tourism Destinations

Cartagena de Indias joins World Religious Tourism and Spiritual Destinations Network

30-06-24

The mission of this network is to provide comprehensive support to all destinations, offering management guidance, pilgrim services, education and training.

Cartagena continues to diversify its tourism offer by joining the World Religious Tourism and Spiritual Destinations Network, thus reaffirming its rich cultural heritage and religious fervor. This international recognition was achieved thanks to the collaboration between the Mayor's Office of Cartagena, the Cartagena de Indias Tourism Corporation and the Archdiocese of Cartagena.

Cartagena's entry into this prestigious Network, which includes destinations such as Fatima, Rome, Jerusalem, Santiago de Compostela, Mecca, Varanasi and Aparecida, is the result of an exhaustive work that highlights the historical and spiritual elements of the city. Holy Week 2024 was a successful pilot that demonstrated Cartagena's religious and tourist vocation.

"It is an honor that Cartagena is recognized as a reference in religious traditions, thanks to our first Holy Week as a Government. We celebrate this inclusion that motivates us to consolidate a robust offer from our emblematic churches and religious activities," said Mayor Dumek Turbay Paz.

Benefits of belonging to the World Network

Pilar Valdés, general director of the World Religious Tourism and Spiritual Destinations Network, announced from Madrid the incorporation of Cartagena. The network, which includes nearly 30 destinations in 21 countries and is led by Tourism and Society Think Tank, offers guidance in management, pilgrim services, education and training, with the support of more than 300 professionals specialized in religious tourism.

Liliana Rodríguez, executive president of Corpoturismo, highlighted: "This achievement is thanks to the collaboration between Mayor Dumek Turbay, social manager Liliana Majana and the Archdiocese of Cartagena, led by Monsignor Francisco Javier Múnera Correa. Together we have exalted the spiritual richness of Cartagena"

Cathedral of St. Catherine of Alexandria

A centennial heritage that enlivens faith

Monsignor Francisco Javier Múnera Correa expressed the importance of this news for the Church of Cartagena: "Cartagena has been admitted to the World Religious Tourism and Spiritual Destinations Network. It is an opportunity to highlight the spiritual and cultural values that distinguish our city". Father Julio César Muñoz, delegate for the pastoral care of religious tourism, added: "This achievement encourages us to strengthen our pastoral mission and bring more people closer to the faith".

The Archdiocese of Cartagena has developed strategic initiatives for integral religious tourism, collaborating with local, national and international entities to ensure a unique experience for visitors. "We invite everyone to discover the spiritual and patrimonial richness of Cartagena and live an experience that will strengthen your faith and fill your heart with love," he concluded.

Cartagena's rich religious history includes the founding of the Diocese of Cartagena in 1534, just one year after the city was founded, making it one of the oldest in Latin America. The city has numerous temples and convents of great historical and architectural importance, such as the Cathedral of Santa Catalina de Alejandría, the Sanctuary of San Pedro Claver, and the Temple of Santo Toribio de Mogrovejo, among others.

Pilar Valdés, general director of the World Network, Liliana Rodríguez, president of the Cartagena de Indias Tourism Corporation, and Antonio Santos del Valle, president of the TSTT.

Temples and Convents of Interest

Historic center

Cathedral of Santa Catalina de Alejandría (minor Basilica)
San Pedro Claver Sanctuary
Sanctuary of Santo Domingo - Cristo de la Expiración (Sanctuary of Santo Domingo - Christ of the Expiration)
Santo Toribio de Mogrovejo Temple

Getsemaní

Temple of the Third Order
Temple of the Holy Trinity
Temple of San Roque

Other temples of interest

Santa Cruz de la Popa Convent and Sanctuary
Hermitage of Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria (Pie de la Popa)
Hermitage of Our Lady of Mercy (El Cabrero)
Santa María Bernarda Sanctuary (Bifii School - La Providencia)

Historical convents

Cloister of Santo Domingo (today Spanish Cooperation Training Center)
Cloister of La Merced (today University of Cartagena and Adolfo Mejía Theater)
Monastery of the Clarisas (today Sofitel Legend Santa Clara)
Monastery of the Discalced Carmelites (today Charleston Santa Teresa)
Franciscan Convent of San Diego (today University of Fine Arts)
San Agustín Convent (today University of Cartagena)
Convent of San Francisco (today San Francisco Hotel Project)

International importance and relevance

Cartagena not only stands out for its architectural and spiritual heritage, but also for the centuries-old devotion to religious figures such as the Virgin of Candelaria and the Holy Christ of the Expiration. In addition, the city was a key point in the work of St. Peter Claver, who assisted African slaves and whose relics rest in the city.

Cartagena's inclusion in the World Religious Tourism and Spiritual Destinations Network is a recognition of its rich history and spiritual heritage. This achievement not only enhances the city, but also strengthens its position as an international tourist destination, attracting pilgrims and visitors from all over the world interested in its vast and rich religious and cultural offerings.

Cartagena de Indias, with its vast spiritual and cultural heritage, reaffirms its position on the world map of religious tourism. The city is ready to receive pilgrims and visitors, offering a unique experience that combines history, faith and culture in a unique environment.

The importance of Cartagena de Indias

The founding of Cartagena on June 1, 1533 marked the beginning of a history rooted in the Catholic faith, as an integral part of the process of Spanish colonization in America. This event not only established a strategic enclave for the Spanish crown, but also sowed the seeds of an intense religious life that endures to this day.

Barely a year after its foundation, the Diocese of Cartagena was erected by papal bull of Clement VII, becoming one of the oldest dioceses in Latin America and Colombia. This ecclesiastical act laid the foundations for a rich religious tradition that would develop over the centuries.

Cartagena de Indias emerged as one of the most crucial fortified plazas of the Spanish empire, which attracted numerous religious communities. The presence of these communities is reflected in the imposing architecture of temples and convents that still adorn the city, living testimonies of its colonial past.

The Virgin of Candelaria occupies a prominent place in the history and identity of Cartagena. Custodied by the Order of Augustinian Recollects, her centuries-old presence in the towns of the Caribbean symbolizes the cultural encounter between indigenous people, Africans and Spaniards, and her devotion is an enduring link to the city's past.

The Tribunal of the Holy Office, established in Cartagena, underscores the city's strategic importance in the colonial context. Today, the Historical Museum occupies the same space, giving new meaning to this controversial period of history.

Saint Peter Claver, venerated for his humanitarian work for enslaved Africans, is a symbol of compassion and justice that still inspires the community. His relics rest in an imposing temple that attracts pilgrims and visitors from all over the world.

The city has witnessed the passing of important religious figures, such as San Luis Bertrán and San Ezequiel Moreno, whose presence left an indelible mark on its history.

St. Maria Bernarda Butler, foundress of the Franciscan Missionary Sisters of Mary Help of Christians, left a missionary legacy that transcends borders. The centennial of her death this year is a reminder of her lasting impact on the city and beyond.

The devotion to the Holy Christ of the Expiration in the temple of Santo Domingo is a vivid manifestation of the faith rooted in the hearts of the people of Cartagena, which is renewed every Monday with acts of veneration and devotion.

The figure of Monsignor Eugenio Biffi, whose cause for canonization is advancing, is remembered for his spiritual guidance in difficult times and for revitalizing religious life in the city.

The papal visits of St. John Paul II in 1986 and Francis in 2017 highlight Cartagena's spiritual importance on the world stage.

The marble sculpture of the Virgin of Carmen in Cartagena Bay is a symbol of faith and divine protection for the region's fishermen and sailors.

Cartagena's religious heritage is manifested in a wide variety of temples and convents, each with its own history and significance, which enrich the city's spiritual experience.

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