Another gorgeous day on our arrival in Cartegena, a city prized for its beauty, culture and location since Carthaginian times. As happens when we are in port, maintenance of the ship continues. Today a crew was giving the Ryndam a new coat of paint.
Being Good Friday I was really looking forward to seeing more of the preparations for Easter week…but we had a slight delay before getting off to see the city. We were packed and ready to get off early but while walking down the stairs I lost my footing at the top of a staircase and fell down about 8 steps. Not the way I wanted to start our day, that's for sure. Luckily I was on the same floor as the medical center so I was wheeled to the center for a look at the damage I'd done. Thank goodness nothing was broken; I had a good sized gash on my head and cuts on my legs and hands but, all in all, no major injuries. After the doctor took a look she decided I wouldn't need stitches so after cleaning up the cuts and resting a bit we walked SLOWLY out to see the city.
The marina is only a short walk to the beautiful and historic buildings of the city.
The entrance to the city is dominated by the Town Hall, a very modernist architecture dating for the early 20th century.
As in our other ports most of the offices and businesses were closed for the holiday. Not feeling my best for lots of sightseeing and walking, we decided we'd find the cathedral to see what was being planned for the evening parade. As we turned the corner we immediately knew we were near the Old Cathedral, built in the 13th century. It stands on the remains of a Roman theater, discovered in 1987. The construction dates from the first century AD and is one of the most important in Spain.
Had I felt better we would have visited the museum and seen all the artifacts, but not today. Today I wanted to see the floats and there they were!!! Right in the middle of this very, very narrow street.
The street was lined with black plastic chairs for the evening's event.
We walked on up and into the cathedral to see these amazing floats, some with wheels and drivers who would be hidden under the flowing skirts.
They were stunningly beautiful with enormous floral arrangements being installed. It looked like the entire seating for the cathedral had been removed to make way for these large traditional statues.
I had read that the city of Cartegena, spared during the Spanish Civil War, had the oldest and most beautiful statues and floats some dating back hundreds of years. The elaborate gold and silver designs were incredible.
Also set out ready for the procession were the banners and torches that would be used later that night.
This is a view front he steps of the cathedral with some of the floats already out on the narrow cobblestone street.
I guess if there were any city to return to and participate in the Semana Santa activities, I'd choose Cartegena. From our experience just that day and all the photos I've seen it must be amazing with the robed and hooded fraternities marching in parallel columns to the rhythm of drums or funeral music. Having seen something similar a year ago in Antigua, Guatemala, I've wanted to see it in other countries too. We got a taste of it on this trip, but sure would love to return for the full experience.
We laughed later that evening that maybe we should have just stayed in town overnight and "missed" sailing with the ship. We could have caught it the next day…I would sure look into that on a future trip.
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