Puerta del Reloj, Cartagena

Puerta del Reloj is a gate tower with arches that links two plazas and provides access to the walled old town of Cartagena. Three wide passages run beneath the tower, while above them an octagonal structure holding the clock defines the silhouette.

Construction began in 1601 as a fortified passage with a drawbridge to repel attacks on the city. The upper section with its bell chamber was completed in 1888 after fire destroyed the previous wooden structure.

The name honors the clock that has marked time for residents and visitors across generations, making this spot a natural meeting point in daily life. Vendors and passersby still orient themselves by this tower when walking through the lanes or arranging where to meet.

You can walk through the gate at any time as the passages remain open around the clock and offer plenty of room for pedestrians. Those heading from Getsemaní into the old town usually take this direct route, which works well for initial explorations.

The movement that runs today came from Switzerland and replaced an older pendulum system from 1874 in 1937. Those passing in the evening see the lit dials standing out against the sky and setting the rhythm for the nightlife around the plazas.