This morning I posted a photo in Colour Challenge from my travels to Bogota, Colombia so I have decided to write about something that struck me while travelling there. This post is dedicated to the beauty of Spanish colonial architecture and featured here will be the cities of Salento and Cartagena, the old port.
Founded in 1533, Cartagena boasts some of the best Spanish colonial architecture and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is characterized by thick stucco-clad walls, small open windows sealed by wrought iron gates, wooden support beams and often and inner courtyard.
Cartagena was a very colourful and sunny city full of shops, street vendors and restaurants. Fresh coconut water at the side of the road was a welcome relief to the serious heat there as well.
The second city, Salento was one of my favourite towns in Colombia. It is nestled in the Cocora Valley and as it was officially founded in 1842, the architecture there is a modern take on the influences found in the older city of Cartagena.
The handpainted doors, shutters and balconies are just an introduction to the many handcrafted items for sale in this unique town. It is definitely a must see if you like quaint villages in natural settings.
The colours, art and design of Colombia are a feast for the eyes and just one of the many wonders of this country. The people were friendly, the food was delicious and the landscapes were breathtaking. Travelling certainly lends to great inspiration for your own art & design projects and there was certainly no shortage of inspiration in Colombia!
**These photos were taken by yours truly during my travels throughout Colombia in December of 2013. Hope you enjoyed this post :)
