The Bolivar park either Bolivar plaza de Cartagena, se encuentra ubicado en el corazón del centro histórico, es uno de los lugares mas populares del corralito de piedra.
History of Plaza Bolívar
Initially it was known as The church square because in a corner the Cathedral of Saint Catherine of Alexandria, later received the name Main Square, since the great military acts of the time were carried out there, in 1610 the holy court of the inquisition dedicated to punishing heresy and acts carried out against God (Witchcraft) was established in the city and took the name of Inquisition SquareOn November 11, 1896, the park was inaugurated and four years later the sculpture of the liberator was placed. Simon Bolivar for which it acquired its current name of Simon Bolivar Park.
(Also learn about the History of the Customs Plaza of Cartagena, the oldest in the city)
The sculpture was modeled in Munich by the Venezuelan sculptor Eloy Palacios, is made of bronze and its pedestal is made of Finnish granite; This place would have also been the first venue for the first bullfights that took place in the city, and it was there where the people acquired the love for carralejas today carried out in many towns near Cartagena.
In one of the corners of the square you can see a Mortar, this is a piece of artillery from the 18th century, found near the San Fernando de Bocachica Castle.
Where is Bolívar Park located?
The Park is located on Cll 34 of the walled center in a privileged area, because close to it are the Santa Catalina de Alejandría Cathedral, the Proclamation Square, he Zenú Gold Museum, the Bartolomé Calvo Library and the Cartagena Historical Museum.
Currently, Simón Bolívar Park is one of the places with the most vegetation in the historic center, something that is appreciated in such a sun-loving city. It is also home to many pigeons like most parks and squares in Cartagena and has several fountains that, together with the vegetation, cool the place, at night folk dance groups meet to entertain spectators with traditional dances of the coast such as the Cumbia and the Mapale.
About the Sculptor Eloy Palacios
José Eloy Palacios was a Venezuelan sculptor and painter, who studied at the Munich Academy of Fine Arts where he obtained a diploma in sculpture and casting.
