Santa Catalina

Location:
Santa Catalina
Colombia

Monument Types:
Sightseeing on the sister island

By Richard McColl

Santa Catalina is an island in its own right that was at one time connected to Providencia but it is believed that pirates, possibly Henry Morgan or the Dutchman Edward Manswelt, may have cut the links in order to create a passage for ships between the two islands and therefore create an impregnable and easily defendable base around this 1km area of land. Today Santa Catalina is connected to Providencia by means of a causeway named “Puente de los Enamorados” or “Lover’s Bridge”. A short walk across this takes you to Santa Catalina where a pathway runs along the waterfront interrupted with some placards detailing historical curiosities and identifying the points where six forts have been placed over the years. What remains today of these bastions representing European imperial designs in the region are hardened rubble and a few scattered canons. Be sure to bring along your camera and snap some photos of the views and of the delightfully painted traditional Caribbean architecture.

Getting There
Walk across Lover's Bridge!

Price Description: free

Relative price: Free

Travel Skills: None