The clock tower is the most emblematic construction of the city of Cartagena, it’s a place of
attraction for all visitors and it’s not for less, because it was the door that allowed the entrance to
the walled city, if you want to go back in time Boca del Puente is a must if you come to the
Corralito de Piedra.
The Clock Tower was called Boca del Puente, from there began the wooden bridge that crossed
the pipe of San Anastasio and joined the walled city with the suburb of Getsemaní. The monument
is located between the square of the cars and the square of the peace formerly known as slave
market; its construction goes from the year 1601 to the year 1631 at the time that concludes the
total enclosure of what was then Calamari.
Years after the French attack, the engineer Juan de Herrera y Sotomayor decided to build a new
tower with military engineering. In 1704 a gate with three vaults was built, the central and the
highest one that allowed the transit to the city and two lateral ones that served as body of guard
and store of supplies.
In 1874 the tower boasts its first clock brought from the United States and then it was replaced by
a Swiss clock. In 1888 a new restoration was made by the architect Luis Jaspe who notoriously
modified the appearance of the tower with an octagonal design and a gothic style.
Today it’s called clock tower was considered one of the most beautiful clocks in the world
according to BBC TRAVEL, measures about 30 meters high, it’s functionality is completely
mechanical and is a carefully preserved work.
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