Timeline of Cartagena, Colombia

The following is a timeline of the history of the city of Cartagena de Indias, Colombia.

This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by adding missing items with reliable sources.

Prior to 19th century (Colonial era)

• 1500 – Rodrigo de Bastidas approaches to Cartagena's bay, naming it Barú bay.
• 1503 – The catholic queen Isabel issue a royal decree, naming the Barú bay as the Cartagena's bay, due to its similarity with Cartagena (España)
• 1523 – Gonzalo Fernández de Oviedo y Valdés obtains permission to commerce in Cartagena's bay and near regions.
• 1525 – Fernandez de Oviedo obtains the capitulation to conquer the actual terrains of Cartagena.
• 1533 - Cartagena founded by Spaniard Pedro de Heredia. It becomes one of the "major naval and merchant marine bases of the Spanish empire."
• 1534 – Catholic Diocese of Cartagena established.
• 1536
  • Castillo San Felipe de Barajas (fort) construction begins.
  • Cartagena obtains the dominance of the Morrosquillo Gulf and the terrains of the Sinú indigenous people.
• 1538 – The Spanish crown authorizes taxes to the Indigenous people.
• 1539 – Indigenous population: 500 approx. Population has decreased due to diseases and confrontations with colonizers.
• 1543 – Jean-François Roberval plunders the city
• 1544 – Town was captured and plundered by pirates.
• 1550 – Heredia becomes governor of Cartagena
• 1552 – A big fire occurs
• 1559 – French Martin Cote assaults Cartagena
• 1561 – The Nuevo Muelle dock is built, made up of wood
• 1565 – 1,000 inhabitants
• 1568 - John Hawkins invades and assaults Cartagena for 8 days.
• 1574
  • Francis Drake assaults Cartagena and destroys 1/4 of the city.
  • King Philip II of Spain gives Cartagena the title of city.
• 1575 – Cartagena is recognized with the "Noble and Loyal" city title, as Cartageneros were Pro-Spanish Crown.
• 1578 – Convento de Santo Domingo construction begins.
• 1579
  • Cartagena attains Spanish colonial city status.
  • San Juan de Dios Hospital builds its second floor
• 1580 – The Saint Augustine convent is founded
• 1582 – Canal del Dique built.
• 1585 – Sir Francis Drake exacted a large ransom from the town.
• 1586 – Battle of Cartagena de Indias (1586). Drake again occupies and destroys much of the city.
• 1595 – By the visit of the military engineer Bautista Antonelli, Cartagena's cobbled streets are traced
• 1603 - The Espiritú Santo hospital is founded in Getsemaní.
• 1610 - King Philip III of Spain establishes the Tribunal de Penas del Santo Oficio de la Inquisición.
• 1612 - Cartagena Cathedral built.
• 1614
  • The Tribunal de Penas del Santo Oficio de la Inquisición proceeds with the first "act of faith".
  • Stonework starts at Baluarte de Santo Domingo for the construction of the wall.
• 1620 - Getsemaní is completely edificated. Its cabidity under the construction of Cartagena's wall is debated.
• 1625 - The Aduana building is concluded.
• 1630 - Population: 6.000
• 1635 - The famous Cartagena Wall is completed, making Cartagena a military hub.
• 1636 - A group of Portuguese immigrants are submitted to an "act of faith", accused of practicing judaism.

• File:Plano de Cartagena de las Indias (1735) - AHG.jpg

  1735 city map.

  1646 - Castle of San Luis de Bocachica (fort) construction begins.
• 1651 - Yellow fever epidemic in Cartagena.
• 1654 - Iglesia de San Pedro Claver built.
• 1657 - Castle San Felipe de Barajas (fort) is built over the San Lázaro hill.
• 1683 - Raid on Cartagena (1683).
• 1684 - Population: 7.341
• 1697 - May 6: Raid on Cartagena (1697).
• 1708 - Wager's Action, a naval confrontation on 8 June 1708, between a British squadron under Charles Wager and the Spanish treasure fleet off the coast near Cartagena
• 1709 - Population: 4.556
• 1710 - The city is fully recovered from what the last raid destroyed.
• 1717 - Cartagena becomes part of the Spanish colonial Viceroyalty of New Granada.
• 1730 - The San Carlos Hospital and the Poors Hospital open.
• 1732 - El templo Santo Toribio (temple) built.
• 1735 - Franciscan Church of the Third Order built.
• 1741 - Battle of Cartagena de Indias. Large attacking force led by Admiral Edward Vernon defeated at the Castillo San Felipe by an outnumbered defensive force led by Blas del Lezo.
• 1757 - Governor of Cartagena dictates the closing of Bocagrande's channel, making a peninsula, now called Bocagrande.
• 1767 - After the expulsion of the jesuits the San Juan de Dios hospital is relocated.
• 1769 - Castle San Felipe de Barajas is reinforced and enlarged by Antonio de Árevalo, becoming the biggest fort in Cartagena.
• 1770 - Palace of Inquisition built (approximate date).
• 1777 - 13.700 inhabitants.
• 1780 - El espigón de La Tenaza (shore end) built.
• 1785 - Antonio de Árevalo builds nine installations for ill people in Caño del Oro, Tierrabomba island.
• 1795 - Consulado (merchant guild) established.
• 1796 - Military barracks (known as Bóvedas) aside of the wall, are finished.

19th century

• 1809 - 17.600 inhabitants.
• 1810 - May 22: A coup leads to the creation of a new governing council.
• 1811 - November 11: Cartagena's Cabildo declares absolute independence from Spain, creating the Free State of Cartagena.
• 1811 - Cartagena becomes part of the newly formed United Provinces of New Granada.
• 1815
  • March: Simón Bolívar blocks Cartagena for two months and takes military weapons in order to recuperate sister city Santa Marta.
  • August: Siege of Cartagena (1815) occurs during the independence war of Colombia, losing 1/3 of the population.
  • Population: 18.708
• 1816
  • Pablo Morillo returns to Cartagena, in the so-called "reconquest".
  • The nine martyrs are written off by the court-martial, accusing them of betrayal to the Spanish crown.
• 1821
  • Royalists surrender Cartagena to Simón Bolivar's forces after a 15-month siege.
  • Cartagena becomes capital of the Magdalena department.
• 1824 - War of independence finishes.
• 1827 - University of Cartagena established.
• 1835 - 11.929 inhabitants, population decreased significantly since the independence.
• 1843 - Bartolomé Calvo Library founded.

  File:Torre del Reloj Cartagena Colombia by Edgar.png

  Torre del Reloj (clock tower).

• 1849
  • Cholera plague hits Cartagena, 1/3 of the population decease.
  • El Porvenir newspaper begins publication.
• 1850 - La Republica newspaper begins publication.
• 1857 - The province of Cartagena is designated the name of Bolívar department, in honor to Simón Bolívar.
• 1870 - El camellón de los Mártires (median strip) built, making a social place for the Cartagenero.
• 1885 - The ermitage of El cabrero is built by the 4 times president Rafael Nuñez for his wife.
• 1888 - A republican-style clock tower, Torre del reloj (Cartagena) is built over the entrance of the wall.
• 1889 - Public Library José Fernandez de Madrid opens.
• 1891 - El Espinal, El Cabrero, Manga and Pie de La Popa, become townships.
• 1892 - Dispute on the terrains of La Boquilla.
• 1894
  • Cartagena's railway inaugurated, connecting the capital of the Bolivar department to the Magdalena river.
  • Muelle de la Machina (dock) inaugurated.
• 1896 - Bolivar statue erected in Bolívar Park (Cartagena, Colombia).
• 1898
  • After a big depression, economy recuperates. Volume of exportation: 34.653 tons.
  • The railway pier was lengthened 120 ft.

20th century - Republican era

• 1904 - Mercado de Getsemaní (public market building) inaugurated.
• 1905
  • The wall gate "Paz y progreso" is opened while the controversial "murallicidio".
  • Urbanization in the Manga island starts, it is held by Henrique Luis Román who also built the H.L Román bridge. Connecting Getsemaní and Manga.
  • Population: 14,000. (official estimate).
• 1907 - Bolivar bank building inaugurated.
• 1909 - Industrial park "El limbo" operates.
• 1911 - Teatro Heredia and Centenary Park (Cartagena) opens.
• 1912 - Demographic rate peaks to 3.2% until 1951. Important immigration to the city takes place.
• 1915 - Chamber of Commerce of Cartagena founded, 150 companies registered.
• 1918 - Population: 50.000
• 1920
  • "Compañia Colombiana de Navegación Aerea" (airline) builds an airport in the terrains of Bocagrande.
  • Club Cartagena opens.
• 1923 - An oil pipeline is built between "Las Infantas" camp in Santander and Cartagena's bay.
• 1928
  • Banco de la Republica [national bank) building inaugurated, designed by the recognized Belgian architect, Joseph Martens.
  • The Spirit of Saint Louis lands in Cartagena's airport.
• 1930
  • SCADTA (airline) builds an airfield in the Manzanillo island.
  • The Andean corporation urbanizes Bocagrande's peninsula giving shelter and entertainment to its workers.
• 1931
  • Fire in "La Machina" port.
  • US president Franklin D. Roosevelt visits Cartagena.
• 1934
  • Port of Cartagena inaugurated.
  • September: Naval base "ARC Bolívar" is inaugurated in Bocagrande.
  • Miss Colombia beauty pageant begins.
• 1938
  • Population: 73,190.
  • Water bombing from canal del Dique, and water purification in Piedra de Bolívar starts.
• 1939 - Club de Pesca of Cartagena (fishing club of Cartagena) founded in the San Sebastián del Pastelillo Fort.
• 1941 - the Caribe Hotel in business.
• 1947
  • LANSA (Colombia) (airline) builds two runways in the Crespo suburb. Called "Airport of Crespo".
  • Estadio Once de Noviembre (stadium) opens.
• 1948 - El Universal newspaper begins publication.
• 1951
  • Service of Cartagena's railroad is suspended due to navigability through Canal del Dique.
  • Population: 128,877.
• 1956 - Cartagena Refinery of oil commissioned.
• 1958 - Estadio Jaime Morón León (stadium) opens.
• 1959 - Cartagena's historic center is declared a national monument.
• 1960 - Cartagena Film Festival begins.
• 1961
  • Comfenalco (Compensation fund of Cartagena) established.
  • Navy cadet school Almirante Padilla moved to the Manzanillo island.
• 1965 - Fire destroys the Mercado de Getsemaní (public market).
• 1967 - Mamonal industrial complex consolidated.
• 1968 - Santander Avenue inaugurated, an important avenue which rounds the Cartagena wall.
• 1970 - Universidad Tecnologica de Bolivar first private university in the city, founded.
• 1973 - Population: 292,512.
• 1974
  • Private-state enterprise Ecopetrol takes the administration of the Cartagena oil refinery.
  • Statue of India Catalina erected in La Matuna.
• 1977 - New public market Bazurto is built. The building is recognized as architectural heritage of Colombia.
• 1978 - The semi destroyed Mercado de Getsemaní is finally demolished.
• 1979 - Centro de conveciones Julio Cesar Turbay Ayala (convention center) starts its construction.
• 1980
  • Hilton Cartagena inaugurated, becoming the first Hilton Hotel in Colombia.
  • La Vitrola restaurant in business.
• 1982
  • Caribbean Music Festival begins.
  • Museo del Oro (Cartagena) (gold museum) inaugurated.
• 1984
  • Cartagena's colonial walled city and fortress designated an UNESCO World Heritage Site.
  • Archivo Historico de Cartagena (historical registry of Cartagena) established.
  • Romancing The Stone filmed in Cartagena's historic center.
• 1985
  • García Márquez's fictional Love in the Time of Cholera published.
  • Population: 513,986.
• 1986 - The airport of Crespo is renamed as Rafael Nuñez in tribute to the centenary of the constitution.
• 1991 - Cartagena is declared touristic and cultural district of Colombia.
• 1993 - Sociedad Portuaria de Cartagena acquires the administration of Cartagena's port.
• 1996 - SACSA (airline) acquires the administration of the Rafael Núñez International Airport.
• 1997 - Jorge Artel Library is opened, it serves to the southwestern districts, the poorest ones.
• 1999 - The American Hispanic Culture Library opens.

21st century

• 2003 – Transcaribe transit system construction begins.
• 2005
  • 875.730 inhabitants according to national census.
  • Torre de la Escollera construction begins.
• 2006
  • July: XX Central American and Caribbean games celebrated in Cartagena.
  • Ecopetrol and Glencore establish the Sociedad Refinería de Cartagena SA (Cartagena's refinery society).
• 2008
  • Judith Pinedo Flórez becomes mayor.
  • Caribe Plaza opens.

• File:Bus alimentador de SITM Transcaribe Cartagena.JPG

  Transcaribe bus

  2012
  • April: Summit of the Americas held in Cartagena.
  • Campo Elías Terán becomes mayor, succeeded by Carlos Otero Gerdts.
  • Mall Plaza El Castillo opens.
• 2013
  • Marine outfall inaugurated
  • Dionisio Vélez becomes mayor
• 2014
  • Cartagena's population reaches 1 million inhabitants
  • Bocagrande Plaza opens.
• 2015
  • August: Puerto Bahía specialized docks for hydrocarbons gas liquids movement inaugurated.
  • October: Modernization and ampliation of the Cartagena's refinery finishes.
  • November: Transcaribe BRT starts operating.
  • December: Sunken 18th century Spanish galleon San José rediscovered offshore.
  • December 10: Port of Buenavista, located in Mamonal industrial district, inaugurated.
• 2016
  • Bolívar Department, which's capital is Cartagena, was the department that grew economically the most in 2016 with 11,4%, much higher than the 2% national average.
  • February: The planified city, Serena Del Mar, starts its construction in the north of Cartagena.
  • February 27: Mamonal specialized docks for carbon movement, inaugurated.
  • April: Crespo's tunnel inaugurated.
  • July: First Neopanamax ship docks at Cartagena's harbor.
  • September: Peace accords between the Colombian Government and the FARC are signed in the Turbay Ayala convention center, assembling presidents from different countries, and big personalities such as Ban Ki-moon.
  • December: Estelar Hotel inaugurated in Bocagrande, becoming the tallest building in Cartagena with 202 m (662 ft).
  • Population 1,013,389
• 2017
  • February: Children's Baseball stadium, Mono Judas Araújo, rebuilt
  • May: Colombia's General Attorney's Office suspended mayor Manolo Duque from his charge because of corruption investigations. Duque being found guilty and imprisoned later. Sergio Londoño Zurek would become Cartagena's in-charge mayor until atypical elections were held.
  • October: 9 members of Cartagena's council are investigated and called to the courts in January 2018.
• 2018
  • 5 km long Viaducto Cienaga de la Virgen (bridge) inaugurated, reducing travel time from downtown to north Cartagena and Barranquilla

See also

• History of Cartagena, Colombia
• List of mayors of Cartagena
• List of governors of the Province of Cartagena

Other cities in Colombia:

• Timeline of Bogotá
• Timeline of Cali
• Timeline of Ocaña, Colombia

References

This article incorporates information from the Spanish Wikipedia.

Bibliography

in English

• Josiah Conder (1830), "Cartagena", The Modern Traveller, London: J.Duncan
• "Cartagena". Commercial Directory of Latin America. Washington DC: Bureau of the American Republics. 1892.
• M. de Moreira (1908). "Cartagena". Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: New York, The Encyclopedia Press.
• "Cartagena (Colombia)" . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 5 (11th ed.). 1910. pp. 411–412.
• William Alfred Hirst (1915), "Cartagena", Guide to South America, New York: Macmillan Company
• Joel Streicker (1997). "Spatial Reconfigurations, Imagined Geographies, and Social Conflicts in Cartagena, Colombia". Cultural Anthropology. 12 (1): 109–128. doi:10.1525/can.1997.12.1.109. JSTOR 656615.
• David Marley (2005), "Cartagena", Historic Cities of the Americas, Santa Barbara, Calif: ABC-CLIO, ISBN 1576070271
• Jane Landers (2013). "African Landscape of Seventeenth-Century Cartagena and Its Hinterlands". In Jorge Canizares-Esguerra; et al. (eds.). Black Urban Atlantic in the Age of the Slave Trade. University of Pennsylvania Press. ISBN 978-0-8122-0813-9.

in Spanish

• José P. Urueta (1880). Cartagena y sus cercanías, guia descriptiva de la capital de estado soberano de Bolivar [Cartagena and its surroundings, descriptive guide to the capital of the sovereign state of Bolivar] (in español). Cartagena: Donaldo E. Grau.
• Eduardo Lemaitre. Breve historia de Cartagena (Cartagena, 1958). In Spanish.
• Eduardo Lemaitre. Historia general de Cartagena. Bogotá: Banco de la República, 1983. In Spanish.
• Maruja Redondo Gómez (2004). "Proceso cronologico de estructuracion urbana". Cartagena de Indias: cinco siglos de evolución urbanística (in español). U. Jorge Tadeo Lozano. ISBN 978-958-9029-63-3.
• Atlas historico de Cartagena
• Cartagena de Indias, visión panoramica
• Banco de la Republica, Cartagena

External links

• Map of Cartagena, 1994
• Items related to Cartagena, Colombia, various dates (via Europeana)