Convento de la Popa
An Augustinian monastery of 1607 on the highest hill above Cartagena, with the best view over the city and the bay.
Updated 18 October 2026
The hill is about 150 metres, the highest point in Cartagena, and the Augustinians founded a house on it in 1607. The name la popa means the stern of a ship, from the hill's profile seen from the sea. The convent holds a chapel with the image of the Virgen de la Candelaria, patroness of the city, whose feast on 2 February involves a procession up the hill; a walled courtyard with bougainvillea; and a statue commemorating a friar who, according to the tradition, threw a goat idol off the cliff after finding people worshipping it. The view takes in the walled city, the bay, the modern towers of Bocagrande and the fortress of San Felipe below.
History
A wooden chapel went up on the hill in 1607 after the preaching of an Augustinian friar, Vicente Mallol, and the convent followed a year later, first called Santa Cruz; a wealthy Neapolitan, Fabricio Sánchez, paid for it, and by 1612 it was almost finished at a cost of 15,000 ducats. Its archives were lost in the attacks the city suffered, so few precise records survive. During the War of Independence its defenders threw back a surprise assault by Pablo Morillo's Spanish besieging troops on the night of 11 November 1815; under the Republic the Augustinians had to leave, and the empty convent served as a barracks, where Simón Bolívar quartered with his regiment when the liberating army entered Cartagena (Wikipedia, Convento de la Popa).
What you'll find
- A monastery of 1607 - on the city's highest hill.
- The Virgen de la Candelaria - patroness, with a February procession.
- A bougainvillea courtyard - at the centre of the convent.
- The full view of Cartagena - walled city, bay and Bocagrande.
When to go
December to April; 2 February for the feast. An hour and a half.
Practical notes
The road up is steep and walking it is discouraged for safety reasons - take a taxi and arrange the return. It is hot with limited shade. Entry is charged. The convent itself is modest; the view is the reason.
Nearby
Castillo San Felipe is below; the walled city is beyond.
Key facts
Source: Wikidata, item Q30594314, read on 18 October 2026.
What to pack for Convento de la Popa
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
- Comfortable walking shoes - Sightseeing means kilometres of pavement and cobbles daily. Find on Amazon
- Modest clothing - Shoulders and knees covered - the single most common requirement. Find on Amazon
- A slim anti-theft daypack - Zips that close properly; keep it in front in crowds and on transit. Find on Amazon
- A scarf or shawl - To cover the head or shoulders on entry; women especially at mosques. Find on Amazon
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