In this blog you will have a broad look at the history of the Getsemaní neighborhood in Cartagena, up to its current and vibrant nightlife. At the time of the Viceroyalty, Getsemaní was an island in front of the walled city of Cartagena. Little by little it was filled with inhabitants, especially slaves from Africa in what was then the most important port of the Spanish Empire in America. With the construction of the Convent of San Francisco in 1560, after having been destroyed by French pirates, and the Church of the Trinity in 1600, the second oldest temple in the city, the Getsemaní neighborhood gained considerable relevance in what would become the history from Cartagena de Indias.
What is now the Convention Center was once the Market located next to the Bay of Souls. The market gave a commercial identity to the neighborhood which persists to this day. During the time of Independence, Getsemaní was synonymous with San Basilio de Palenque, the first free town in America, as well as with Pedro Romero and the Getsemaní lancers, who were decisive in the Cry of Independence and the subsequent unleashing of events that led not only to the Independence of Cartagena but also to the then territory of New Granada.
Hence, one of the obligatory entrances to the neighborhood is through the Ridge of the martyrs, a passage that connects the Historic Center with Getsemaní. Place where several independentists were shot. Until the 1970s, the heart of the neighborhood was still the market, however, the area was abandoned by the authorities and with the deterioration of the surroundings, the sector lent itself to illicit activities, poverty and displacement.
It was not until 1984 with the declaration by UNESCO of Cartagena as a Historical and Cultural Heritage of Humanity, that a global awareness was generated in recovering this neighborhood and leadership and interests arose in investing in the recovery of the area and protecting the Neighborhood life as intangible heritage.
Today Getsemani is presented as a neighborhood with a bohemian atmosphere, a meeting place for various cultural and artistic expressions of residents who have collected the heritage of the first inhabitants of the sector. The crafts, live music, art galleries, street art and different gastronomic expressions give Getsemaní an invaluable cultural wealth that is very tempting for tourism.
Getsemaní Nightlife.
Whether on Calle de la Media Luna, Calle Larga or Plaza de la Trinidad, you will find a bar, nightclub or venue with the party atmosphere of your choice. There are all styles and rhythms, with places dedicated to salsa, champeta and caribbean rhythms prevailing. Not to be missed, the 1968 Salsa Show, a place where you can enjoy the show of the five-time world salsa champions while delighting with the local orchestra performing different musical genres.
At the Café Bar Havana you will experience the best mojitos in the city while live music makes a place with a soul who will make you want to return. To warm up your engines, there is nothing better than a beer at Tertulia, a place to taste culture, history, music and drinks in a colonial atmosphere. And for those who enjoy a long night, the Fragma Club offers three environments where electronic music mixes with latin rhythms. he first atmosphere on the ground floor is techno-house with International DJs playing, on the first floor current hits are mixed with reggaeton, finally on the terrace you can dance salsa with a masterful panoramic view of Cartagena de Indias as a setting. Let yourself be amazed by the nightlife of Getsemaní, a harmony of colonial history with contemporary elegance.
Enjoy this exciting history and the unbeatable Cartagena night in any of our properties located in the Getsemaní neighborhood. We have built a dossier of properties filtered from exclusivity, comfort and original experiences. Come and enjoy the wonders of the most iconic destination in the Colombian Caribbean from the comfort of our luxury houses and apartments.
