Sanctuary of Saint Peter Claver, Cartagena

This is the church of San Pedro Claver de Cartagena. A Spanish priest Pedro Claver came to Columbia during the building of the fort. The fort was built by thousands of slaves shipped here by the Spanish. Pedro was appalled by their treatment and moved to help them. He dedicated the rest of his life to ministering to the slaves. He called himself “a slave to the slaves”. He is highly revered and the church conferred sainthood on Pedro in the 1800s. The church is beautiful. There are lovely stained glass windows. San Pedro himself is entombed in the altar in a glass coffin. The side rooms contain many wonderful paintings and carved statues. In the center courtyard, there large trees and plantings. It is a working Catholic Church and you can attend mass there.

Visiting here is a must for understanding a very important person in Cartagena's history, Spanish history even. Read up on the man before you go. Spend the money on the guide.