Explore the museum on a self-guided tour, which are made possible by signage in both Spanish and English. Highlights of the museum include a floor dedicated to Cartagena’s independence from Spanish colonial rule; detailed dioramas that feature cutaways showing the city’s finest buildings; and maps and canons that date back to the Independence era. To learn more about Cartagena’s rich history, opt for a walking tour that covers the Palace of Inquisition among other notable landmarks such as the Gold Museum and Casa Museo Rafeal Nunez.
Palace of Inquisition (Museo Histórico de Cartagena de Indias) is located at number 46 Plaza Bolivar, in the heart of Cartagena’s UNESCO-listed Old Town. The majority of Cartagena Old Town attractions, including the Clock Tower and Plaza Santo Domingo, are within 10 minutes’ walk of the museum.
The museum is open from morning until early evening Monday-Saturday, but operates with reduced opening hours on Sundays. Try to arrive first thing to beat the crowds.
As well as hosting the Palace of Inquisition (Museo Histórico de Cartagena de Indias), the leafy Bolivar Square—formerly Plaza de Inquisición—offers a more authentic alternative to Plaza de Santo Domingo. As well as harboring a grand statue of its eponymous hero and the Gold Museum, the square is a magnet for street performers and street food vendors after sunset, when the area is at its most atmospheric.