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)

 * 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.
 * Plano de Cartagena de las Indias (1735) - AHG.jpg - 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 Cartagena Colombia by Edgar.png
 * 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.
 * 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 - and  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.
 * Bus alimentador de SITM Transcaribe Cartagena.JPG
 * April: Summit of the Americas held in Cartagena.
 * becomes mayor, succeeded by Carlos Otero Gerdts.
 * Mall Plaza El Castillo opens.
 * 2013
 * Marine outfall inaugurated.
 * 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.

in Spanish

 * Eduardo Lemaitre. Breve historia de Cartagena (Cartagena, 1958). In Spanish.
 * Eduardo Lemaitre. Historia general de Cartagena. Bogotá: Banco de la República, 1983. In Spanish.
 * Atlas historico de Cartagena. http://www.banrepcultural.org/blaavirtual/revistas/credencial/noviembre2001/cartagena.htm
 * Cartagena de Indias, visión panoramica. http://www.banrepcultural.org/revista-91
 * Banco de la Republica, Cartagena. http://www.banrepcultural.org/cartagena/historia
 * Cartagena de Indias, visión panoramica. http://www.banrepcultural.org/revista-91
 * Banco de la Republica, Cartagena. http://www.banrepcultural.org/cartagena/historia