Graffiti and Hidden Murals Route in Getsemaní: The Alternative Side of Urban Art in Cartagena

Introduction: Getsemaní, the neighborhood that breathes art on every corner (and not just the famous 'Gorda de Botero' mural)

If you walk through the cobblestone streets of Getsemaní, it's easy to fall into the trap of only looking at the giant Gorda de Botero mural in Plaza de la Trinidad. Yes, it's iconic, but the neighborhood is a living canvas that goes far beyond that Instagram photo. Getsemaní, the rebellious heart of Cartagena, holds stories of resistance, Afro-Colombian memory, and an explosion of color on its weathered facades that few tourists take the time to decipher. In June 2026, street art here continues to evolve, and this guide is for you to discover the hidden murals that even tour guides don't know well.

I grew up watching this neighborhood transform from a dangerous spot into a cultural epicenter. The graffiti is not just decoration: they are painted cries against gentrification, tributes to ancestors, and a declaration that art is not sold, it is lived. So get ready to put the camera down for a while and connect with the stories behind each stroke. Here I take you on a route that few dare to do, but that will change the way you see Cartagena.

What to do: The route of the 7 lesser-known murals

This is not a list of the most viral murals. It is a tour of pieces hidden in narrow alleys, behind wooden doors, or on facades that look abandoned. Wear comfortable shoes, bring water, and a flashlight on your phone because some streets are not well lit.

1. 'La Resistencia del Cimarrón' – Calle de la Media Luna with Callejón del Estribo

On the corner of Calle de la Media Luna, right where the sun hits hardest at noon, there is a mural that few notice because it is on a side wall of a colonial house. The local artist, known as 'El Mocho', painted a cimarrón breaking chains, with earth tones and indigo blue. The work is from 2021, but the message remains relevant: the struggle for freedom is not over. It is a tribute to the slaves who escaped to Palenque de San Basilio. If you look closely, the chains have details of plantain leaves, a symbol of Afro-Colombian resistance.

2. 'El Ojo del Tiempo' – Callejón del Guerrero, # 7-23

This mural is almost invisible. It is in an alley that looks like a dead end, but if you go in (carefully), you will see a giant eye painted with spray paint and acrylic. The artist, María Fernanda 'La Pinta', created it in 2023 as part of a neighborhood memory project. The eye looks towards the sea, and locals say it protects the neighborhood from evil spirits. There is no sign, no plaque, just the artwork. It is perfect for a photo without crowds.

3. 'La Sirena del Manglar' – Calle de la Sierpe with Calle de la Amargura

On a peeling wall, almost hidden by a matarratón tree, there is a mermaid with the face of an Afro-Colombian woman and a tail of green scales. It is by the artist Karlos 'K-Ra', a Cartagena native who mixes Caribbean mythology with social realism. The mermaid holds a fish in one hand and a cayenne flower in the other. Neighbors say the mural appeared overnight in 2022, and since then, the corner has been quieter. If you go at sunset, the light filters through the leaves and the scales seem to glow.

4. 'Memoria de los Olvidados' – Calle del Pozo, in front of # 5-12

This is a collaborative mural made by 5 local artists in 2024. It represents blurry faces of people who lived in Getsemaní before gentrification. There is a woman with a turban, a child with a spinning top, and an old man smoking a cigar. It is on an exposed brick facade, and if you don't know it's there, you walk right past it. It is a reminder that the neighborhood is not just a spot for tourists, but a home for families who have been here for generations.

5. 'El Grito de la Tierra' – Callejón del Espíritu Santo, no number

In an alley that smells of humidity and jasmine, there is an abstract mural that looks like a scream. It is red and black lines forming a twisted human figure. The artist, 'Fénix', is a young man from the neighborhood who paints without permission, on walls that no one claims. The work is from 2025 and criticizes mining exploitation in the Colombian Caribbean. There is no visible signature, only a QR code that the artist left at the base (scan carefully, sometimes it doesn't load). It is one of the most ephemeral murals: it could disappear at any moment if the wall owner decides to paint over it.

6. 'Ritmo de Tambores' – Calle de la Soledad, side of the theater

This mural is an explosion of yellow, orange, and red. It shows joyful drums, hands playing, and dancing figures. It was painted by 'La Banda del Muro', a collective of artists from the city, in 2020, during the lockdown. The wall is on the side of the Getsemaní theater, a place few visit. If you go on a Saturday, sometimes there are live drum rehearsals, and the mural comes to life with the sound.

7. 'El Último Aliento del Barrio' – Calle de la Trinidad, behind the church

Behind the Trinidad church, on a wall facing an inner courtyard, there is a small but powerful mural: an open mouth exhaling colored smoke. The artist, 'Sombra', painted it in 2023 as a critique of air pollution in Cartagena. It is almost invisible from the main street; you have to go through a narrow passage between two houses. Locals call it "the breathing mural."

Where to eat or drink: Strategic stops on the route

After walking and searching for murals, hunger and thirst set in. Here are three places that are on the route and are authentic, not tourist traps.

Café del Mural – Calle de la Media Luna, # 8-10

A small café with a terrace that overlooks the 'La Resistencia del Cimarrón' mural. They serve black coffee ($2,500 COP), corozo juice ($4,000 COP), and shredded beef empanadas ($3,000 COP each). Open Monday to Saturday, 7am-7pm. The owner, Don Toño, is an old-timer from the neighborhood who tells you stories about the artists while he prepares your coffee. Don't expect fast wifi, but the conversation is worth it.

La Cocina de la Negra – Callejón del Guerrero, no number (next to the eye mural)

A street food stall that only opens Thursday to Sunday, 11am-5pm. They sell arepas de huevo ($6,000 COP), patacones with hogao ($5,000 COP), and lulo juice ($3,500 COP). The owner, Mrs. Miriam, painted the eye mural? No, but she is a friend of the artist. Ask her about "La Pinta" and she will tell you how the work came to be. The place has no name, just a wooden sign that says "Comida de la Negra."

Bar El Escondite – Calle del Pozo, # 5-30

A hidden bar in a colonial house, with live music on weekends. They serve Club Colombia beer ($5,000 COP), rum with lemon ($8,000 COP), and shrimp ceviche ($15,000 COP). The 'Memoria de los Olvidados' mural is half a block away, so you can have dinner and then go see it at night (the street lighting is dim, but it gives it a mysterious air). Open Wednesday to Sunday, 6pm-1am.

How to get there and transportation: The logistics of the route

Getsemaní is a 10-minute walk from the Centro Histórico, crossing the Puente Heredia. If you come from Bocagrande, take a taxi or an Uber (it costs about $10,000 COP). The neighborhood is walkable, but the streets are cobblestone and narrow, so forget about heels.

The route of the 7 murals is a walking tour of about 2-3 hours, depending on how much you stop to take photos. I recommend starting at 4:30pm, just when the sun goes down and the golden light transforms the colors. The heat in Cartagena is brutal at noon, so avoid the hours between 11am and 2pm. Bring sunscreen, mosquito repellent, and a reusable water bottle.

If you prefer not to walk alone, there are guided tours by local artists. The collective 'Getsemaní Street Art' offers paid tours (from $40,000 COP per person) that include stories of the murals and access to spray paint workshops. But if you are more independent, the self-guided route works perfectly: just follow the streets I mentioned and ask the neighbors if you get lost. Locals are friendly, but always with caution.

Safety: Getsemaní is safe during the day, but at night avoid lonely streets like Callejón del Espíritu Santo or Callejón del Guerrero after 8pm. Keep your camera visible, but don't walk around with your phone in your hand all the time. Paid tours are safer for the night, but if you go alone, stick to the main streets.

Local tips: Secrets only the locals know

Here are tips you won't read in traditional travel guides:

• The magic hour: Arrive at 5pm, just before sunset. The warm Caribbean light makes the colors of the murals look more vibrant, especially blue and yellow. Also, at that time the tourists leave and the neighborhood fills with locals playing dominoes on the corners.
• Don't paint over the murals: I've seen tourists trying to leave their "mark" with a marker. Don't do it. Local artists take this as a sign of disrespect. If you want to leave a souvenir, buy a t-shirt or a print from the artists at the store 'Arte en la Calle' (Calle de la Media Luna, # 7-15).
• Scan the QR codes: Some murals have QR codes at the base (like the one for 'El Grito de la Tierra'). Bring a QR reader on your phone. Sometimes they take you to videos of the artists explaining their work, or to playlists of Caribbean music that inspired the piece.
• Ask about live artists: If you're lucky, you might find 'Fénix' or 'La Pinta' painting on some wall. They usually work on weekend mornings. Approach with respect and maybe they'll let you watch the process. Don't ask them to paint something for you for free, but if you buy them a beer, the conversation flows.
• The link with history: The graffiti is not just art; it is a response to gentrification. Since 2010, Getsemaní has seen rents rise and local families leave. Many murals, like 'Memoria de los Olvidados', are a cry so that the Afro-Colombian memory of the neighborhood is not erased. Take a moment to read the small letters in the corners of the works; sometimes there are poems or names of people who no longer live here.

Frequently asked questions

Is it safe to do the route on my own?

Yes, during the day it is safe. Getsemaní is a tourist neighborhood, but like anywhere, keep your belongings visible and avoid lonely alleys after 7pm. If you feel uncomfortable, join a guided tour. Prices for paid tours in June 2026 range from $40,000 COP to $60,000 COP per person, and usually include a local guide who knows the artists.

Do the murals change frequently?

Yes, some are temporary. Local artists paint on walls that are not owned by anyone, and the owners can decide to paint over them at any time. The most stable murals are those on the facades of businesses or inhabited houses, like 'La Resistencia del Cimarrón' or 'Ritmo de Tambores'. The most ephemeral ones, like 'El Grito de la Tierra', can disappear in months. That's why it's better to visit soon.

Can I take photos without paying?

Yes, the murals are in public spaces, so you don't need permission to photograph them. But if you want to use the images for commercial purposes (like selling prints or postcards), it is ethical to contact the artist and ask for permission. Some artists sell their works in digital format or on canvas, and supporting them is a way to keep street art alive.

Is there an interactive map of the route?

Yes, at the end of this article you can download a PDF with the interactive map of the 7 murals, including exact coordinates and links to the artists' stories. There is also a QR code that takes you to a Google Maps map with the locations marked. Share your photos on social media tagging the artists (look for their names on the murals) so they can see their work appreciated.