Square of the Cars art_and_culture

Situated just beyond the Puerta del Reloj, this is the first square that welcomes visitors to the historic centre of Cartagena de Indias. This is where slaves brought from Africa were sold during the colonial period. It was also the site of the public 'Picota' or gallows, where the heads of the executed were exhibited, or where they were put to death. Today it is distinguished by something much less bitter: the Portal de los Dulces, where you can taste the most traditional and delicious sweets of the Colombian Caribbean coast. 💡Curiosities It was called the Plaza de los Coches when, at the end of the 19th century, the city council allowed the charioteers to park their cars on one side of the square. Today it is the scene of a great flow of vehicles and movement of people moving in all directions.