Manga: 3 Abandoned Houses That Tell the Story of the Neighborhood

Introduction: The Lost Splendor of Manga

Have you ever walked through Manga and felt like time stood still? This neighborhood, which in the 19th and early 20th centuries was the Beverly Hills of Cartagena, is now an open-air museum of Republican architecture. But not everything is glamour: among restored mansions and boutique hotels, there are facades falling to pieces, doors sealed with rusty padlocks, and windows staring into the void. In July 2026, while tourists crowd the Historic Center, here there is a heavy silence. I'm going to take you to three abandoned houses that are more than rubble: they are silent witnesses to how Manga went from being the dream of the Cartagena elite to a neighborhood fighting not to disappear.

What to Do: A Tour of the 3 Abandoned Houses of Manga

Manga is not a neighborhood to rush through. It's for walking slowly, with your camera ready and your eyes wide open. These three houses are not signposted nor are they official tourist attractions. They are hidden gems that only locals know. Here I'll tell you how to find them without getting lost.

House 1: The Palace of the Vélez Family (Calle 29 # 18-45)

This is, without a doubt, the most imposing of the three. Built in 1910 by the Vélez family, one of the most powerful commercial dynasties in Cartagena, the house occupies half a block. Its neoclassical facade has Ionic columns, wrought iron balconies, and a pediment that still retains traces of blue paint. But as you get closer, you see that the roof caved in years ago, the windows are boarded up with zinc sheets, and the main door, made of carved wood, has a padlock that looks like it's from that era.

Neighbors say the Vélez family moved to Bogotá in the 1950s and never returned. The heirs couldn't agree to sell it, and the neglect turned it into a refuge for pigeons and lizards. A few years ago, a foreign investor tried to buy it to turn it into a hotel, but the legal process got tangled up. Today, from the sidewalk, you can see how the vines climb the columns, as if the jungle were reclaiming what is its own.

Fun fact: In 1925, this house was the scene of a birthday party for President Pedro Nel Ospina, who stayed there during his visit to Cartagena. The older neighbors still remember the anecdotes of the orchestras playing until dawn.

House 2: The German's Mansion (Avenida Santander # 20-12)

On the corner of Avenida Santander and Calle 20, there is a house that looks like it's from a gothic horror movie. It is eclectic in style, with French and Caribbean influences: it has a square turret, windows with semicircular arches, and a terrace overlooking the sea. But the neglect is brutal: the clay tiles are broken, the paint has completely peeled off, and in the front garden wild plantain plants grow.

This house belonged to a German merchant named Karl Schmidt, who arrived in Cartagena in 1920 and set up a brewery. Schmidt fell in love with a woman from Cartagena, built this mansion for her, and they lived there until he died in 1945. The widow went to live with her daughter in the United States, and the house was left in the hands of a caretaker who neglected it. Today, the owners are a family living in Miami who have not been able to sell it because the price they are asking is unrealistic: according to rumors, they are asking for more than 2 million dollars for a building that needs a complete restoration.

Tip for photographers: The best light to photograph it is at 4 in the afternoon, when the sun hits it head-on and highlights the details of the arches. Bring a wide-angle lens to capture the magnitude of the facade.

House 3: The Mansion of the Three Arches (Calle 31 # 19-30)

This is the smallest of the three, but also the most photogenic. It is on a quiet street, near the Parque de la Marina. Its popular name comes from the three semicircular arches that support the entrance, typical of coastal Republican architecture. The house is single-story, with walls of lime and stone (calicanto) and a hallway (zaguán) leading to an inner courtyard. But today, the hallway is full of rubble, and a rusty gate blocks the way.

It belonged to the De la Torre family, one of the first to move to Manga when the neighborhood was a swamp. They say that in the courtyard there was a freshwater well, something rare in a city where saltwater invades everything. The house was inhabited until 1998, when the last descendant, a lady named Carmen De la Torre, who lived alone with 15 cats, died. Since then, no one has touched it. In 2023, a group of architecture students from the University of Cartagena surveyed the house for a thesis project, but they couldn't get the Mayor's Office to declare it a heritage site. Today, the facade remains standing thanks to the neighbors who propped it up with wooden beams to prevent it from collapsing onto the street.

Where to Eat or Drink Near the Abandoned Houses

After walking under the Cartagena sun, you'll need to hydrate and grab a bite. Manga has options that mix the traditional with the modern, and they are just a few blocks from the houses.

La Vitrola (Calle 29 # 18-10)

This restaurant-club is two blocks from the Palace of the Vélez Family. It is famous for its live salsa and bolero music, and its Caribbean fusion cuisine. Try the rice with coconut and langoustines, which costs around $45,000 COP (reference prices from July 2026). They are open Tuesday to Sunday, from 12pm to 11pm. It's expensive by local standards, but worth it if you want a complete experience.

El Bistro de Manga (Avenida Santander # 20-50)

Right next to the German's Mansion, this café-restaurant is perfect for a quick lunch. They offer arepas de huevo with shredded beef for $12,000 COP and natural juices like corozo or passion fruit for $5,000 COP. The owner, Don Carlos, can tell you stories about the neighborhood while he serves you. They are open Monday to Saturday, from 8am to 6pm.

Punta del Este (Calle 31 # 19-15)

Across from the Mansion of the Three Arches, there is an artisanal ice cream shop called Punta del Este. They have flavors like coconut, soursop, and tamarind. A single cone costs $7,000 COP. It's the ideal place to sit on the sidewalk, watch people go by, and process what you've just seen.

How to Get There and Transportation

Manga is a 10-minute taxi ride from the Historic Center. If you are in Bocagrande, it's 15 minutes. Here are your options:

• Taxi: From the Center, the ride costs between $8,000 and $12,000 COP. Always negotiate the price before getting in, or use apps like Uber or Didi, which work well in the area.
• Bus: The bus routes that go to Manga leave from Avenida Venezuela (in front of the Mallplaza Shopping Center). Look for buses with signs saying "Manga" or "Terminal". The fare is $2,300 COP.
• On foot: If you like walking, from the Center you can get there via the Puente Román, which connects the San Diego neighborhood with Manga. It's a 20-minute walk at a leisurely pace, and the bridge offers a spectacular view of the Bahía de las Ánimas.
• Bicycle: There are public bicycle stations from the "BiciCartagena" system at the entrance to Manga, near the Parque de la Marina. The hourly rental costs $1,000 COP, but you need to register with a credit card.

Local Tips

This is what no tour guide will tell you, but what you need to know to make your visit to these houses safe and respectful:

• Don't enter the houses. They are in ruins and could collapse at any moment. Also, some are private property and you could have legal problems. Enjoy them from the sidewalk.
• Bring water and sunscreen. Manga doesn't have much shade, and the Cartagena sun is relentless. A 1.5-liter bottle of water costs $2,000 COP at any store in the neighborhood.
• Safe hours: Visit the houses between 9am and 5pm. After 6pm, the neighborhood becomes very empty and there are few streetlights. If you are a woman traveling alone, consider going with someone.
• Talk to the neighbors. The residents of Manga are friendly and like to share stories. Ask at the corner store or the bakery. They will tell you details you won't find on the internet.
• Use the hashtag #MangaSecreto. When you upload your photos to Instagram or TikTok, tag @malokal and use the hashtag. We want to see your shots and share them with the community.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to visit Manga alone?

Manga is a quiet residential neighborhood, but like anywhere in Cartagena, you need to take precautions. During the day, it is safe to walk alone if you stick to the main streets (Avenida Santander and Calle 29). Avoid going into alleys or very isolated areas. If you go in a group, even better. Robberies are not common, but always keep your phone and camera put away when you're not using them.

Can I take photos of the houses without any issues?

Yes, absolutely. The facades are visible from the street, so you don't need permission. Just make sure you don't trespass on private property. If you see an open gate, don't enter. The neighbors are used to seeing tourists taking photos, but if someone asks you not to photograph their house, respect their decision. The best attitude is to be discreet and grateful.

Are there guided tours that include these houses?

There are no official tours focused on abandoned houses, but some local agencies offer Republican architecture tours that pass through Manga. Ask at the tourist office in the Historic Center or search social media for independent guides like "Cartagena Walking Tours" or "Manga Heritage Walks". You can also contact the Fundación para la Conservación del Patrimonio de Manga, which organizes occasional walks. If you don't find anything, the tour I give you here is self-guided and you need nothing more than your legs and curiosity.