4.0 The locations of Magical Disinformation: Part 4 - Cartagena

In this post we explore Cartagena. As with the last post, I won’t say a word about what occurs in this part of the book as I don’t want to give anything away… So you’ll have to read it and find out!

You can read the first few chapters of MAGICAL DISINFORMATION via the Amazon “Look Inside” function HERE.

Cartagena, officially Cartagena de Indias, is a colonial gem on the Caribbean coast of Colombia, recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Its maze of alleyways, balconies dripping in bougainvillea, impressive churches and leafy plazas make it one of the most popular tourism destinations in the country. And that’s not to mention world class restaurants, hotels, bars, white sand beaches (only a short boat ride away), a mud volcano, a skyline reminiscent of South Beach in Miami, and historical sites brimming with history and colonial charm.  

Cartagena Source: Lachlan Page ©

The city itself was founded in 1533 by Pedro de Heredia, quickly blossoming into the major entry and exit port in the Spanish colony of New Granada. Because of this, its storage facilities amassed large quantities of gold and emeralds which—like much of the Americas—was pillaged from the local population. As the goods waited for Spanish galleons to be whisked back to Europe, Cartagena became a beacon for pirates, suffering sieges from Sir Francis Drake and other buccaneers. Eventually leading to the city being fortified behind a thick stone wall with small watchtower-y turrets. Later the city played an important part in Colombian history being one of the first towns in Nueva Granada to proclaim independence from Spain, doing so in 1810, setting off a chain reaction of other proclamations throughout the colony. Even today you’ll still see La Cuadrilonga—a red and yellow bordered flag with a green square showcasing a white star in the centre— flag flying in the city. A sign of the flag adopted as a patriotic symbol of independence and argued by some as Colombia’s first national flag.    

In the literature world, Cartagena is the setting for Gabriel Garcia Márquez’s Love in a Time of Cholera. Garcia Márquez worked as a journalist in Cartagena and lived here for a time and it is where his ashes were laid to rest when he passed away in 2014. His former residence can be seen in the old town. In fact, a prominent scene in MAGICAL DISINFORMATION takes place near here in the steamy streets of the historic walled city.

Cartagena Source: Lachlan Page ©

From my various visits to Cartagena over the years, I’ve alway enjoyed strolling the streets, exploring the beaches, scuba diving nearby reefs and seeking out the latest bar or restaurant to try. However, being popular with foreign and Colombian tourists alike it is generally more expensive than elsewhere in Colombia. Also, in the walled city it can sometimes feel like you’re being offered a hat, cigar, or boat ride on every corner which can get old very quickly. Nonetheless, it’s a great destination and iconic Colombian city and well worth the visit. As a quick tip, no visit to Cartagena is complete without a drink at Cafe del Mar, a popular bar on the fortified walls overlooking the sea. Expensive? Yes. Touristy? Yes. But most definitely worth at least one drink as the sun goes down.    

Café del Mar, Cartagena Source: Lachlan Page ©

Misinformation about Cartagena (Colombia) #3

The popular 1980s movie Romancing the Stone mentions the city but pronounces it CartageÑa (the ñ is pronounced as an ‘nye’ sound — think how the ‘ñ’ sounds in ‘piñata’). This has led to generations of people pronouncing the city’s name incorrectly.

The Truth

The correct pronunciation is much simpler without the ñ sound and just a regular ‘n’ sound. Something like /karta-hena/.

The view from Castillo San Felipe — Cartagena Source: Lachlan Page ©

That wraps up all the destinations of my spy novel, MAGICAL DISINFORMATION. From Bogotá to the Caribbean coast and everywhere in between. 

If you are interested in reading MAGICAL DISINFORMATION click here to pick up a copy via your preferred bookstore or purchase the ebook.