Santa Marta celebrates 500 years of faith, evangelization, and culture, opening the way for religious tourism

07-09-25

On September 5, Santa Marta became the epicenter of a historic gathering that brought together ecclesiastical, academic, social, and tourism authorities as part of the commemoration of 500 years of the Church’s presence in Colombia. The event, titled “Church and Society Encounter: 500 Years of Faith, Evangelization, and Culture”, was held at Sergio Arboleda University and convened a wide range of voices reflecting on the role of faith in the social, cultural, and political construction of the region.

The day began with welcoming remarks from Monsignor José Mario Bacci Trespalacios, Bishop of Santa Marta, who highlighted the symbolic value of the city as the first diocese founded on the mainland of the Americas. In his speech, he announced and expressed gratitude to the World Religious Tourism Network, a program of the Tourism and Society Think Tank led by Pilar Valdés, for including the Diocese of Santa Marta as a new member of this international platform. Bacci emphasized that this jubilee is not merely a historical event, but an opportunity to reflect on how faith has accompanied and transformed people’s lives over five centuries. During the opening ceremony, he received a special recognition, accompanied by a formal gesture in which a letter was presented to him as a token of gratitude and commitment.