Basilica of Nuestra Señora de la Caridad, Cartagena

The Basilica of Nuestra Señora de la Caridad is a neoclassical church in the historic old town, built with a distinctive dome and classical proportions that give it a monumental quality. Inside, the space is organized around a central altar with side chapels, decorated with religious paintings, sculptures, and ornamental details throughout.

The basilica began as a modest religious congregation founded in the late 1600s to serve the sick and poor of the city. Over the following centuries, it was expanded and rebuilt in the neoclassical style, becoming an important religious landmark.

The church serves as the spiritual heart of Cartagena's religious life and has been a place where local people gather to honor their patron saint for generations. The devotion to the Virgin shows through the numerous candles and flowers that visitors often leave at the altar.

The basilica is located in the historic old town and is easy to reach on foot from the main plaza and surrounding streets. Visitors should dress respectfully and be aware that access to certain areas may be limited during religious services.

A naval engineer played a key role in designing the basilica and incorporated maritime building techniques into its structure. This unusual combination of naval expertise and religious architecture makes it a distinctive example from the colonial period.