# Timeline of Cartagena, Colombia

The following is a timeline of the history of the city of Cartagena de Indias, Colombia.

## Prior to 19th century (Colonial era)

Part of a series on the :
History of Colombia :
Timeline :
| Pre-Columbian period | pre-1499 |
| Spanish colonization | 1499–1550 |
| New Kingdom of Granada | 1550–1717 |
| Viceroyalty of New Granada | 1717–1819 |
| United Provinces of New Granada | 1810–1816 |
| Gran Colombia | 1819–1831 |
| Republic of New Granada | 1831–1858 |
| Granadine Confederation | 1858–1863 |
| United States of Colombia | 1863–1886 |
| Republic of Colombia | 1886–present |
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* 1500 – Rodrigo de Bastidas approaches to Cartagena's bay, naming it Barú bay.
* 1503 – The catholic queen Isabel issue a royal decree, naming the Barú bay as the Cartagena's bay, due to its similarity with Cartagena (España)
* 1523 – Gonzalo Fernández de Oviedo y Valdés obtains permission to commerce in Cartagena's bay and near regions.
* 1525 – Fernandez de Oviedo obtains the capitulation to conquer the actual terrains of Cartagena.
* 1533 - Cartagena founded by Spaniard Pedro de Heredia. It becomes one of the "major naval and merchant marine bases of the Spanish empire."
* 1534 – Catholic Diocese of Cartagena established.
* 1536
** Castillo San Felipe de Barajas (fort) construction begins.
** Cartagena obtains the dominance of the Morrosquillo Gulf and the terrains of the Sinú indigenous people.
* 1538 – The Spanish crown authorizes taxes to the Indigenous people.
* 1539 – Indigenous population: 500 approx. Population has decreased due to diseases and confrontations with colonizers.
* 1543 – Jean-François Roberval plunders the city
* 1544 – Town was captured and plundered by pirates.
* 1550 – Heredia becomes governor of Cartagena
* 1552 – A big fire occurs
* 1559 – French Martin Cote assaults Cartagena
* 1561 – The Nuevo Muelle dock is built, made up of wood
* 1565 – 1,000 inhabitants
* 1568 - John Hawkins invades and assaults Cartagena for 8 days.
* 1574
** Francis Drake assaults Cartagena and destroys 1/4 of the city.
** King Philip II of Spain gives Cartagena the title of city.
* 1575 – Cartagena is recognized with the "Noble and Loyal" city title, as Cartageneros were Pro-Spanish Crown.
* 1578 – Convento de Santo Domingo construction begins.
* 1579
** Cartagena attains Spanish colonial city status.
** San Juan de Dios Hospital builds its second floor
* 1580 – The Saint Augustine convent is founded
* 1582 – Canal del Dique built.
* 1585 – Sir Francis Drake exacted a large ransom from the town.
* 1586 – Battle of Cartagena de Indias (1586). Drake again occupies and destroys much of the city.
* 1595 – By the visit of the military engineer Bautista Antonelli, Cartagena's cobbled streets are traced
* 1603 - The Espiritú Santo hospital is founded in Getsemaní.
* 1610 - King Philip III of Spain establishes the Tribunal de Penas del Santo Oficio de la Inquisición.
* 1612 - Cartagena Cathedral built.
* 1614
** The Tribunal de Penas del Santo Oficio de la Inquisición proceeds with the first "act of faith".
** Stonework starts at Baluarte de Santo Domingo for the construction of the wall.
* 1620 - Getsemaní is completely edificated. Its cabidity under the construction of Cartagena's wall is debated.
* 1625 - The Aduana building is concluded.
* 1630 - Population: 6.000
* 1635 - The famous Cartagena Wall is completed, making Cartagena a military hub.
* 1636 - A group of Portuguese immigrants are submitted to an "act of faith", accused of practicing judaism.
* 1735 city map.1646 - Castle of San Luis de Bocachica (fort) construction begins.
* 1651 - Yellow fever epidemic in Cartagena.
* 1654 - Iglesia de San Pedro Claver built.
* 1657 - Castle San Felipe de Barajas (fort) is built over the San Lázaro hill.
* 1683 - Raid on Cartagena (1683).
* 1684 - Population: 7.341
* 1697 - May 6: Raid on Cartagena (1697).
* 1708 - Wager's Action, a naval confrontation on 8 June 1708, between a British squadron under Charles Wager and the Spanish treasure fleet off the coast near Cartagena
* 1709 - Population: 4.556
* 1710 - The city is fully recovered from what the last raid destroyed.
* 1717 - Cartagena becomes part of the Spanish colonial Viceroyalty of New Granada.
* 1730 - The San Carlos Hospital and the Poors Hospital open.
* 1732 - El templo Santo Toribio (temple) built.
* 1735 - Franciscan Church of the Third Order built.
* 1741 - Battle of Cartagena de Indias. Large attacking force led by Admiral Edward Vernon defeated at the Castillo San Felipe by an outnumbered defensive force led by Blas del Lezo.
* 1757 - Governor of Cartagena dictates the closing of Bocagrande's channel, making a peninsula, now called Bocagrande.
* 1767 - After the expulsion of the jesuits the San Juan de Dios hospital is relocated.
* 1769 - Castle San Felipe de Barajas is reinforced and enlarged by Antonio de Árevalo, becoming the biggest fort in Cartagena.
* 1770 - Palace of Inquisition built (approximate date).
* 1777 - 13.700 inhabitants.
* 1780 - El espigón de La Tenaza (shore end) built.
* 1785 - Antonio de Árevalo builds nine installations for ill people in Caño del Oro, Tierrabomba island.
* 1795 - Consulado (merchant guild) established.
* 1796 - Military barracks (known as Bóvedas) aside of the wall, are finished.

## 19th century

* 1809 - 17.600 inhabitants.
* 1810 - May 22: A coup leads to the creation of a new governing council.
* 1811 - November 11: Cartagena's Cabildo declares absolute independence from Spain, creating the Free State of Cartagena.
* 1811 - Cartagena becomes part of the newly formed United Provinces of New Granada.
* 1815
** March: Simón Bolívar blocks Cartagena for two months and takes military weapons in order to recuperate sister city Santa Marta.
** August: Siege of Cartagena (1815) occurs during the independence war of Colombia, losing 1/3 of the population.
** Population: 18.708
* 1816
** Pablo Morillo returns to Cartagena, in the so-called "reconquest".
** The nine martyrs are written off by the court-martial, accusing them of betrayal to the Spanish crown.
* 1821
** Royalists surrender Cartagena to Simón Bolivar's forces after a 15-month siege.
** Cartagena becomes capital of the Magdalena department.
* 1824 - War of independence finishes.
* 1827 - University of Cartagena established.
* 1835 - 11.929 inhabitants, population decreased significantly since the independence.
* 1843 - Bartolomé Calvo Library founded.Torre del Reloj (clock tower).
* 1849
** Cholera plague hits Cartagena, 1/3 of the population decease.
** El Porvenir newspaper begins publication.
* 1850 - La Republica newspaper begins publication.
* 1857 - The province of Cartagena is designated the name of Bolívar department, in honor to Simón Bolívar.
* 1870 - El camellón de los Mártires (median strip) built, making a social place for the Cartagenero.
* 1885 - The ermitage of El cabrero is built by the 4 times president Rafael Nuñez for his wife.
* 1888 - A republican-style clock tower, Torre del reloj (Cartagena) is built over the entrance of the wall.
* 1889 - Public Library José Fernandez de Madrid opens.
* 1891 - El Espinal, El Cabrero, Manga and Pie de La Popa, become townships.
* 1892 - Dispute on the terrains of La Boquilla.
* 1894
** Cartagena's railway inaugurated, connecting the capital of the Bolivar department to the Magdalena river.
** Muelle de la Machina (dock) inaugurated.
* 1896 - Bolivar statue erected in Bolívar Park (Cartagena, Colombia) [es].
* 1898
** After a big depression, economy recuperates. Volume of exportation: 34.653 tons.
** The railway pier was lengthened 120 ft.

## 20th century - Republican era

* 1904 - Mercado de Getsemaní (public market building) inaugurated.
* 1905
** The wall gate "Paz y progreso" is opened while the controversial "murallicidio".
** Urbanization in the Manga island starts, it is held by Henrique Luis Román who also built the H.L Román bridge. Connecting Getsemaní and Manga.
** Population: 14,000. (official estimate).
* 1907 - Bolivar bank building inaugurated.
* 1909 - Industrial park "El limbo" operates.
* 1911 - Teatro Heredia [es] and Centenary Park (Cartagena) [es] opens.
* 1912 - Demographic rate peaks to 3.2% until 1951. Important immigration to the city takes place.
* 1915 - Chamber of Commerce of Cartagena founded, 150 companies registered.
* 1918 - Population: 50.000
* 1920
** "Compañia Colombiana de Navegación Aerea" (airline) builds an airport in the terrains of Bocagrande.
** Club Cartagena opens.
* 1923 - An oil pipeline is built between "Las Infantas" camp in Santander and Cartagena's bay.
* 1928
** Banco de la Republica [national bank) building inaugurated, designed by the recognized Belgian architect, Joseph Martens.
** The Spirit of Saint Louis lands in Cartagena's airport.
* 1930
** SCADTA (airline) builds an airfield in the Manzanillo island.
** The Andean corporation urbanizes Bocagrande's peninsula giving shelter and entertainment to its workers.
* 1931
** Fire in "La Machina" port.
** US president Franklin D. Roosevelt visits Cartagena.
* 1934
** Port of Cartagena inaugurated.
** September: Naval base "ARC Bolívar" is inaugurated in Bocagrande.
** Miss Colombia beauty pageant begins.
* 1938
** Population: 73,190.
** Water bombing from canal del Dique, and water purification in Piedra de Bolívar starts.
* 1939 - Club de Pesca of Cartagena (fishing club of Cartagena) founded in the San Sebastián del Pastelillo Fort.
* 1941 - the Caribe Hotel in business.
* 1947
** LANSA (Colombia) (airline) builds two runways in the Crespo suburb. Called "Airport of Crespo".
** Estadio Once de Noviembre (stadium) opens.
* 1948 - El Universal newspaper begins publication.
* 1951
** Service of Cartagena's railroad is suspended due to navigability through Canal del Dique.
** Population: 128,877.
* 1956 - Cartagena Refinery of oil commissioned.
* 1958 - Estadio Jaime Morón León (stadium) opens.
* 1959 - Cartagena's historic center is declared a national monument.
* 1960 - Cartagena Film Festival begins.
* 1961
** Comfenalco (Compensation fund of Cartagena) established.
** Navy cadet school Almirante Padilla moved to the Manzanillo island.
* 1965 - Fire destroys the Mercado de Getsemaní (public market).
* 1967 - Mamonal industrial complex consolidated.
* 1968 - Santander Avenue inaugurated, an important avenue which rounds the Cartagena wall.
* 1970 - Universidad Tecnologica de Bolivar first private university in the city, founded.
* 1973 - Population: 292,512.
* 1974
** Private-state enterprise Ecopetrol takes the administration of the Cartagena oil refinery.
** Statue of India Catalina erected in La Matuna.
* 1977 - New public market Bazurto is built. The building is recognized as architectural heritage of Colombia.
* 1978 - The semi destroyed Mercado de Getsemaní is finally demolished.
* 1979 - Centro de conveciones Julio Cesar Turbay Ayala (convention center) starts its construction.
* 1980
** Hilton Cartagena inaugurated, becoming the first Hilton Hotel in Colombia.
** La Vitrola restaurant in business.
* 1982
** Caribbean Music Festival begins.
** Museo del Oro (Cartagena) (gold museum) inaugurated.
* 1984
** Cartagena's colonial walled city and fortress designated an UNESCO World Heritage Site.
** Archivo Historico de Cartagena (historical registry of Cartagena) established.
** Romancing The Stone filmed in Cartagena's historic center.
* 1985
** García Márquez's fictional Love in the Time of Cholera published.
** Population: 513,986.
* 1986 - The airport of Crespo is renamed as Rafael Nuñez in tribute to the centenary of the constitution.
* 1991 - Cartagena is declared touristic and cultural district of Colombia.
* 1993 - Sociedad Portuaria de Cartagena acquires the administration of Cartagena's port.
* 1996 - SACSA (airline) acquires the administration of the Rafael Núñez International Airport.
* 1997 - Jorge Artel Library is opened, it serves to the southwestern districts, the poorest ones.
* 1999 - The American Hispanic Culture Library opens.

## 21st century

* 2003 – Transcaribe transit system construction begins.
* 2005
** 875.730 inhabitants according to national census.
** Torre de la Escollera construction begins.
* 2006
** July: XX Central American and Caribbean games celebrated in Cartagena.
** Ecopetrol and Glencore establish the Sociedad Refinería de Cartagena SA (Cartagena's refinery society).
* 2008
** Judith Pinedo Flórez becomes mayor.
** Caribe Plaza opens.
* Transcaribe bus2012
** April: Summit of the Americas held in Cartagena.
** Campo Elías Terán [es] becomes mayor, succeeded by Carlos Otero Gerdts.
** Mall Plaza El Castillo opens.
* 2013
** Marine outfall inaugurated
** Dionisio Vélez [es] becomes mayor
* 2014
** Cartagena's population reaches 1 million inhabitants
** Bocagrande Plaza opens.
* 2015
** August: Puerto Bahía specialized docks for hydrocarbons gas liquids movement inaugurated.
** October: Modernization and ampliation of the Cartagena's refinery finishes.
** November: Transcaribe BRT starts operating.
** December: Sunken 18th century Spanish galleon San José rediscovered offshore.
** December 10: Port of Buenavista, located in Mamonal industrial district, inaugurated.
* 2016
** Bolívar Department, which's capital is Cartagena, was the department that grew economically the most in 2016 with 11,4%, much higher than the 2% national average.
** February: The planified city, Serena Del Mar, starts its construction in the north of Cartagena.
** February 27: Mamonal specialized docks for carbon movement, inaugurated.
** April: Crespo's tunnel inaugurated.
** July: First Neopanamax ship docks at Cartagena's harbor.
** September: Peace accords between the Colombian Government and the FARC are signed in the Turbay Ayala convention center, assembling presidents from different countries, and big personalities such as Ban Ki-moon.
** December: Estelar Hotel inaugurated in Bocagrande, becoming the tallest building in Cartagena with 202 m (662 ft).
** Population 1,013,389
* 2017
** February: Children's Baseball stadium, Mono Judas Araújo, rebuilt
** May: Colombia's General Attorney's Office suspended mayor Manolo Duque from his charge because of corruption investigations. Duque being found guilty and imprisoned later. Sergio Londoño Zurek would become Cartagena's in-charge mayor until atypical elections were held.
** October: 9 members of Cartagena's council are investigated and called to the courts in January 2018.
* 2018
** 5 km long Viaducto Cienaga de la Virgen (bridge) inaugurated, reducing travel time from downtown to north Cartagena and Barranquilla