Las Bóvedas

Las Bóvedas in 2005

Las Bóvedas (The Vaults) are a structure in the Old City of Cartagena in Colombia, attached to the walls. The Caribbean Sea is visible from the top of the structure. They were built as dungeons. They are located between the forts of Santa Clara and Santa Catalina.

History

The cells in the dungeon now house shops, boutiques and other businesses along the stout walls protecting the old city of Cartagena, Colombia.^[1]

The arcades deep in the walls were designed as storage vaults but were used as prison cells during the civil wars in the 19th century; at high tide, the unfortunate internees were up to their knees in seawater.

These are 23 dungeons built between 1792 and 1796 in the city walls, which are more than 15 meters thick in this part. These dungeons were the last major construction carried out in colonial times and were destined for military purposes. The vaults were used by the Spaniards as storerooms for munitions and provisions, before they became jail cells.

Today, Las Bóvedas is a popular tourist attraction because of its traditional Colombian merchandise and vast array of souvenirs.

This structure is visible in the 1969 film Burn! by Gillo Pontecorvo; starring Marlon Brando.

References