Historical or contextual introduction
If you walk through the Ciudad Amurallada of Cartagena, it is easy to get carried away by the color of the facades, the smell of coffee, and the bustle of the squares. But if you look closely, every stone in the walls has a story that few tourists know. They are not simple blocks brought from Spain or modern cement. They are limestone extracted from local quarries, many of which still exist, hidden under streets, patios, and basements. In May 2026, as the city continues to restore its fortifications, you can still find traces of those 18th-century quarrymen who carved the city you see today.
The wall of Cartagena was not built with imported stones. Fossilized coral and limestone from quarries located within the same walled perimeter were used. The Spanish, with slave and native labor, dug enormous pits that were later filled in or turned into alleys. Today, these places are blind spots for mass tourism, but for the trained eye, they reveal the secrets of a city that grew on top of its own quarry.
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What to do: Mapping three visible points
To understand the hidden history of the quarries, you don't need an archaeological map or special permission. Just comfortable shoes and curiosity. Here are three places within the Ciudad Amurallada where you can still see remains of those original excavations.
Callejón del Virrey
This narrow alley, between Calle de la Iglesia and Calle del Sargento Mayor, is one of the best-kept secrets. As you walk, you will notice the floor is uneven: there are limestone slabs with 18th-century tool marks. Locals say that a quarry was opened here to extract blocks for the wall of Punta de Santo Domingo. Today, the alley is a pedestrian walkway, but if you crouch down and observe the side walls, you will see veins of fossilized coral that the quarrymen left exposed. It is a perfect place for detailed photos, especially at sunset, when the raking light highlights the textures.
- Location: Between Calle de la Iglesia and Calle del Sargento Mayor, near Plaza de la Aduana.
- What to look for: Chisel marks on the stone walls and floor slabs with engraved initials.
- Fun fact: Quarrymen used to engrave their initials or symbols on the stones as a signature. If you find an "A" or a "J" carved, you could be seeing the work of an 18th-century slave or free artisan.
Behind the scenes of Plaza de los Coches
Plaza de los Coches, with its Clock Arch and fruit vendors, is one of the most photographed. But few know that beneath it, about three meters deep, are the remains of a quarry that the Spanish used to extract stone for the Media Luna wall. During a restoration in 2019, limestone steps were found leading down to a vaulted basement, now closed to the public. However, if you walk along the north side of the square, just behind the tables of the café El Santísimo, you will see a ventilation grate that reveals a dark pit. That is the vent of the old quarry.
- Location: North side of Plaza de los Coches, next to Calle de la Mantilla.
- What to look for: The metal grate on the floor. If you crouch down, you can see the uncoated limestone walls.
- Fun fact: It is said that during the colonial period, quarrymen used this pit to hide tools and, in some cases, to conceal gold contraband.
Basement of the Museo del Oro
The Museo del Oro Zenú, on Plaza de la Aduana, is famous for its pre-Columbian pieces. But its basement is a hidden gem for construction history enthusiasts. During the museum's renovation in 2021, it was discovered that the basement was actually an old limestone quarry, used to extract material for the Boca del Puente wall. Today, the basement is open as part of the exhibition, although many visitors pass it by. The walls show diagonal cuts typical of manual extraction, and on the ceiling you can see marks from black powder drills, used to split the rock.
- Location: Plaza de la Aduana, entrance on Calle de la Moneda.
- Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 9am to 5pm. General admission: $5,000 COP (reference prices as of May 2026).
- What to look for: The drill marks on the ceiling and the veins of fossilized seashells in the walls.
- Fun fact: The basement has a peculiar acoustic. If you speak in a low voice, the sound bounces in a way that it seems someone answers you from the other side. Local guides call it "the quarryman's echo".
Interview with a hereditary local quarryman
To understand how limestone was worked, we spoke with Don Evaristo Palacios, a 67-year-old quarryman who lives in the Getsemaní neighborhood. His family has worked stone since the time of his great-great-grandparents, freed slaves who continued the trade. We found him in his workshop, a backyard on Calle Larga, where he still uses hand tools to restore facades.
"Look, it's not what people think," says Don Evaristo as he caresses a block of limestone. "The Spanish didn't bring the stone from Spain. They took it from right here, from pits that are now streets. My grandfather told me that in Callejón del Virrey, my great-great-grandfather worked from 4 in the morning, chipping stone with an iron chisel. There was no gunpowder then, just brute force and water to soften the rock."
Don Evaristo shows us his tools: a two-kilo hammer, chisels of different thicknesses, and a lead plumb line. "Today they use machines, but limestone is treacherous. If you put too much pressure on it, it splits where you don't want it to. You have to know the veins, as if they were veins of a body. Every stone has its direction."
We ask him about the marks seen on the walls. "Those initials are like a signature. The quarrymen marked their work so the foreman knew who had made each block. If the block fell or broke, the quarryman paid with his salary or his life. It was a tough trade. But there was also pride. I still mark my stones with a 'P' for Palacios, like my grandfather."
Don Evaristo gives us a tip for visitors: "If you want to see a stone with initials, go to the wall of Punta de Santo Domingo, right where the boardwalk ends. There is a stone there with an 'M' and an 'R' engraved. That one was made by a certain Mateo Rodríguez, a free quarryman who worked in 1723. It is still clearly visible."
Where to eat or drink near the quarry points
After exploring, hunger and thirst call. Here are recommendations near each point, with options for all budgets.
Near Callejón del Virrey
On Calle de la Iglesia, a few steps from the alley, you will find La Cevichería de la Iglesia. It is a small place, with tables on the sidewalk, specializing in fish and shrimp ceviche. Prices range from $15,000 to $25,000 COP per dish. Open Monday to Saturday, 11am to 9pm. Order the mixed ceviche with patacones, and if you are lucky, the owner, who is an amateur historian, will tell you how the quarrymen ate dried fish brought from Isla de Barú.
Near Plaza de los Coches
On the same square, El Santísimo is a café-bar with a terrace offering views of the Clock Arch. Prices are a bit higher (coffee from $8,000 COP, beers from $12,000 COP), but it is worth it for the view. Order a "Café Cantera", which is an espresso with a touch of panela and cinnamon. The name was invented by the waiters to attract history buffs. Open daily from 8am to 11pm.
Near Museo del Oro
Half a block from the museum, on Calle de la Moneda, is La Mulata, a restaurant serving coastal cuisine with dishes like rice with coconut, fried fish, and patacones. Prices are moderate: main courses between $18,000 and $35,000 COP. Open from 11am to 10pm. The place has exposed limestone walls, and if you ask, the waiter will show you a vein of fossilized coral in the back corner.
How to get there and transportation
The Ciudad Amurallada is compact and walkable. The three points are less than a 10-minute walk from each other. If you come from the city center, you can take a city bus (route T1 or T2) that drops you off at Plaza de la Aduana for $2,500 COP. From the airport, a taxi to the wall costs between $15,000 and $20,000 COP (reference prices as of May 2026). There are also public bicycles at Plaza de los Coches, with a rate of $3,000 COP per hour.
For those who prefer guided tours, there are local agencies like Cartagena Historias that offer "Hidden Quarries" tours for $60,000 COP per person, including entry to the basement of the Museo del Oro. It is recommended to book a day in advance.
Local tips
- Bring a small flashlight: To see the marks well in the basement of the Museo del Oro and in Callejón del Virrey, a pocket flashlight will help you notice details that are lost to the naked eye.
- Visit early: Callejón del Virrey and Plaza de los Coches get crowded with tourists after 10am. Arrive at 7am to have them almost empty and take photos without people.
- Talk to local guides: Many independent guides at Plaza de la Aduana know unofficial stories. If you ask them about the quarries, some will take you to secondary alleys that do not appear on tourist maps.
- Wear closed-toe shoes: Some areas of Callejón del Virrey have loose stones and sharp edges. Sandals are not recommended.
- Respect the restrictions: In the basement of the Museo del Oro, touching the walls is not allowed. Limestone is fragile and the oil from hands damages it. If you see an interesting mark, take a photo, do not touch it.
- Little-known fact: During Holy Week, some hereditary quarrymen from Getsemaní give stone carving demonstrations at Plaza de los Coches. Ask at the local tourism office to find out if one is scheduled during your visit.
Comparison with modern restoration techniques
Today, the restoration of the walls of Cartagena uses mixed techniques. On one hand, traditional methods are maintained to avoid damaging the heritage: quarrymen still use chisels and hammers to carve replacement blocks. On the other hand, modern technologies such as 3D scanners and drones have been incorporated to map cracks and calculate structural stability.
The Colombian Institute of Cultural Heritage, in collaboration with the University of Cartagena, has documented over 200 quarryman marks on the walls. In May 2026, a project is underway to digitize these marks using photogrammetry, creating an interactive map that will be available online for researchers. However, local quarrymen like Don Evaristo criticize that sometimes Portland cement is used to fill cracks, which, according to them, "hardens the stone too much and makes it crack with the heat."
The key difference lies in porosity. The original limestone breathes: it absorbs moisture and releases it with the sun. Modern cement seals that breath, trapping water that, when it evaporates, breaks the stone from within. That is why restorers are returning to using lime and sand mortars, as was done in the 18th century. If you observe a recent restoration, you will notice that the joints between stones are a light beige color (lime) instead of the dark gray of cement.
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to visit Callejón del Virrey alone?
Yes, it is safe during the day. The alley is a pedestrian walkway heavily used by locals and tourists until 8pm. After that hour, the surrounding streets empty out, so it is better to go with company. Carry only what you need and avoid displaying valuables.
Can I go down to the basement of the Museo del Oro without paying admission?
# The basement is part of the museum's exhibition, so you need to buy the general admission ticket. However, the museum has reduced rates for students with ID ($3,000 COP) and free entry on Sundays for Colombians. Check at the ticket office before entering.
Are there specific tours about quarries in Cartagena?
Yes, although they are not as common as general historical tours. The agency Cartagena Historias offers a two-hour tour called "Piedras Vivas", which covers the three mentioned points and a visit to Don Evaristo's workshop. It costs $60,000 COP per person and is booked at Calle de la Mantilla, # 3-45. You can also contact independent guides at Plaza de la Aduana; many offer the same tour for $40,000 COP if you negotiate.
Can quarry marks be photographed without flash?
Yes, in fact it is better without flash. Direct light can create harsh shadows that hide the marks. Use natural light or a flashlight with a raking angle (from the side) so the incisions appear sharp. In the basement of the Museo del Oro, flash is prohibited to protect the gold pieces, but you can use your cell phone flashlight.
What do I do if I find a stone with initials outside the mentioned points?
Take a clear photo, note the exact location (street and facade number), and share it on Instagram tagging @MalokalCartagena. The Malokal team is documenting these marks for a collaborative map. Do not attempt to remove the stone or mark anything new; it is cultural heritage protected by Law 1185 of 2008.
At the end of the day, the hidden quarries of the Ciudad Amurallada are not just holes in the ground. They are the memory of a city that built itself with its own entrails. If you manage to see beyond the colorful facades, you will take away a story that no souvenir can tell.