Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas

The Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas is a colonial fortress on San Lázaro hill in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia. The structure consists of thick stone walls, eight batteries, and a tunnel network that connects the different defensive levels.

The Spanish began construction in 1639 and expanded the fortress until 1767. Workers from Africa built the walls and tunnels under Spanish supervision, first under the name Castillo de San Lázaro.

The name honors King Philip IV of Spain, while the fortress now serves as a landmark for the city. Visitors see the massive construction and preserved defensive structures that show the military power of the Spanish colonial period.

The site opens daily for visitors who can walk through part of the tunnels and see the defensive mechanisms. Guided tours explain the military use and construction methods of the fortress.

The tunnel system uses special construction that allowed soldiers to hear footsteps of attackers. The walls also permitted communication between different levels without direct line of sight.

Location: Cartagena de Indias

Inception: 1536

Elevation above the sea: 14 m

Part of: Port, Fortresses and Group of Monuments, Cartagena

GPS coordinates: 10.42222,-75.53806

Latest update: December 12, 2025 17:48