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The main entrance to the historic walled city of Cartagena is famously known as the Clock Tower (Torre del Reloj). This significant landmark, built into the city wall, features a trio of open archways that offer a gateway into the Old City. A stunning clock tower crowns the central arch. With Baroque architecture, this beautiful eight-sided tower is painted golden-yellow with white trim.

Construction of this gateway took place between 1601 and 1631. Initially, only the central archway existed as a portal to the city. It was known as the Mouth of the Bridge (Boca del Puente). The other two housed an armory and a chapel. The clock tower was added later, during the early 18th century.

The Clock Tower is located next to Cars Square (Plaza de Los Coches) just inside the city walls. This triangular-shaped city square has a dark past as the place that once held Cartagena's slave market. This past also included public gallows in the center of the town square. On the plaza, directly across from the clock tower, you'll find the well-liked Cartagena sweets market known as Sweets Portal (Portal de Los Dulces).

The clock tower gate also serves as a connection from the city to the nearby Getsemani neighborhood just outside the walls. Getsemani is now a hip neighborhood filled with graffiti art and brightly painted buildings. Don't miss the two statues of Pegasus located on a nearby road that leads to the outside of the clock tower.

In the triangular-shaped Cars Square (Plaza de Los Coches), you'll find a candy market called Sweets Portal (Portal de Los Dulces). This site was named years ago for the sweet pastries sold there by street hagglers. You will find this lively market in the arcaded walkways of a row of old houses. The lovely Spanish colonial architecture of these brightly painted structures, with their charming balconies and tile roofs, is worth checking out.

At this outdoor market, you will find dozens of confectionary stands with vendors selling homemade candies and pastries. Jars filled with a variety of sweet treats are on display. You'll have fun shopping for delicious Caribbean delicacies with an emphasis on coconut sweets. Try the popular Cubanitos, rolled candy wrapped in colored paper.

Enjoy the colorful display of treats and the wonderful aroma of sweets in the air as you stroll through this inviting marketplace. There are also some interesting shops and restaurants around this colonial square. Don't miss Cartagena's landmark clock tower, directly across from the Sweets Portal.

The Church of Saint Peter Claver (Iglesia de San Pedro Claver) in the homonymous square (Plaza de San Pedro Claver) forms part of the complex of buildings made up of the Convent of San Pedro Claver and the archaeological museum. The church was built between 1580 and 1654 and was originally known as San Juan de Dios. In 1622, it was re-dedicated to San Ignacio de Loyola, before finally being assigned to San Pedro Claver.

The latter was a Jesuit priest and missionary who dedicated practically all his life to evangelizing the African slaves of New Granada. Born in Spain in 1580, Claver ministered at this church for many years and died at the adjacent convent in 1654. He was declared a saint in 1888.

The church building is of Spanish Colonial design, all except the dome, which was replaced in 1921. The architecture generally corresponds to the style commonly regarded as "Jesuit", widespread throughout Latin America. Much of its monumental fa莽ade is made of stone delivered from the island of Tierrabomba. The large and ornate wooden doors at the front, however, deviate from the Baroque style.

In contrast to the Baroque profusion on the outside, the interior of the church is distinguished by its severity. There are some beautiful stained glass windows and a winding staircase, climbing which you can get a bird's eye view of the inside. Underneath the main altar (made of marble imported from Italy), is a glass coffin holding the remains of Saint Peter Claver.

The three-story building of the convent, surrounding a lovely courtyard, is now a museum dedicated to the saint, Colombia's indigenous people, and the history of this location. In addition to the numerous artifacts on display, you can also see the humble dormitory in which San Pedro Claver lived and died.

Don't miss the whimsical metal sculptures in the square outside the church either. These delightfully avant-garde depictions of people at work and play were crafted by Colombian artist Eduardo Carmona. There is also a bronze statue of San Pedro Claver blessing a slave, created by sculptor Enrique Grau.

The Zen煤 Gold Museum (Museo del Oro Zenu) is a small museum focusing on the Zen煤 people of Colombia. The Zen煤 is an ancient indigenous culture that once thrived in the region. The elaborate gold ornaments they created attracted Spanish conquistadors who looted the gold, even participating in grave robbing. The gold eventually led to the downfall of the Zenu.

The museum showcases the goldsmithing expertise of the Zen煤 people. On exhibit are hundreds of archaeological objects, jewelry, and relics highlighted by many exquisitely crafted pieces in gold. There are also ceramic art objects, pottery, and other Colombian artifacts on display. Some very ornate gold figurines of animals, birds, and other creatures are intriguing.

The Zen煤 Gold Museum is in a prominent location inside a colonial mansion in Bolivar Square, the main square of the Cartagena old city. Visit this two-story museum and enjoy the marvelous displays. Happily, admission is free.