The Cartagena Customs Square It is located in the historic center of the heroic city, in front of the headquarters of the mayor's office of Cartagena de Indias.
History of Customs Square
The Plaza de la Aduana is considered the oldest and largest square in Cartagena de Indias, the first name by which it was known was Sea Square Because it was located very close to what was the first port of Cartagena, it later received the name "Royal Square" either “Plaza Antigua Real Contaduría” Because the city accounting offices operated in a house that was located within the square, this house was called “Island House” Because it occupied the entire block, said house was demolished in 1926 to make way for a 5-story building of the Andian National Corporation.
(Also know: History of the Clock Tower of Cartagena de Indias)
In 1970 it received the name Aduana's Place because the customs offices were installed there, in 1894 it was changed to that of colon square Because a sculpture of Christopher Columbus was installed there, later in the 20th century the name was changed again to Rafael Núñez Square in posthumous tribute to the illustrious Cartagenero who was 4 times president of Colombia, the reality is that the latter is its official name, but due to the old custom of the people of Cartagena it is still called Customs Square, since none of the names given after calling themselves that have been welcomed.
The founder of the city Don Pedro de Heredia lived together with his brother in the building where the Mayor's Office of Cartagena currently operates, and the Customs administration also functioned there. Within the framework of the plaza there was a gallery of arches called “The Portal of the Moors” place where the Muslims who arrived in Cartagena at the beginning of the 17th century established businesses; In this square you can also see the Marquez House of the Royal Prize a colonial construction of great importance in the city due to its state of conservation and being one of the greatest examples of the colonial architecture of the stone corralito.
About the sculpture of Christopher Columbus
The sculpture of Christopher Columbus that still remains in the plaza was donated by the Italian immigrant Juan Bautista Mainero y Truco, a great merchant of the time, on October 12, 1894 in celebration of the anniversary of the discovery of America.
Where is Customs Square located?
The Customs Square is located on cll 32 right in front of the Cartagena Mayor's Office, and can be accessed from the Car Square.
