Sanctuary of Saint Peter Claver

The Sanctuary of Saint Peter Claver is a historic religious complex in Cartagena, consisting of a church, a convent, and a museum. Built by the Jesuits in the 17th century, it is dedicated to Saint Peter Claver, the Spanish friar known as the 'Apostle of the Blacks' or the 'Slave of the Slaves'. Claver spent four decades ministering to enslaved Africans arriving at the city’s port, providing medical aid and spiritual support. His remains are enshrined in a glass coffin beneath the high altar of the church. The complex features a heavy, Baroque stone facade and a beautiful internal cloister with centuries-old trees and tropical flowers. The museum within the convent displays the small room where the saint lived and died, along with a vast collection of religious art and Afro-Caribbean artifacts. The church's iconic dome, added in the late 19th century by French architect Gastón Lelarge, is a defining feature of the city's skyline. Today, the sanctuary stands as a powerful monument to human rights and selfless devotion.

Nearby cities

Cartagena

Historic colonial city and tourist destination.

Magangué

Second largest city in the Bolívar department on the Magdalena River.

History & landmarks

San Pedro Claver Church

The Iglesia de San Pedro Claver is a historic church in Cartagena, named after the Spanish Jesuit who dedicated his life to caring for en…

Clock Tower of Cartagena

The Torre del Reloj is the striking main gate into the walled old city of Cartagena.

Cartagena Convention Center

The modern Julio Cesar Turbay Ayala Convention Center is located on Las Ánimas Bay.

Old Shoes Monument

The Old Shoes Monument is a giant bronze sculpture in Cartagena depicting a pair of worn-out boots.

Castillo San Felipe de Barajas

The Castillo San Felipe de Barajas is a massive Spanish military fortress in Cartagena, built to defend against pirates and enemy fleets.

More places

Palace of the Inquisition

A colonial building in Cartagena that once housed the Spanish Inquisition.

Castillo San Felipe de Barajas

A monumental Spanish fortress in Cartagena, built in the 16th century to defend against pirates.

Convento de la Popa

A colonial convent on the highest point in Cartagena, featuring a historical church and panoramic views.

Port of Cartagena

One of the most important ports in the Caribbean, central to container freight and the export of industrial and petroleum products.

Fort of San Fernando de Bocachica

An 18th-century fortress on Tierra Bomba Island that guarded the main entrance to Cartagena Bay.

Cartagena Refinery (Reficar)

One of the most modern oil refineries in Latin America, playing a key role in Colombia's energy supply.

Mamonal Industrial Complex

A massive industrial area near Cartagena, grouping petrochemicals, plastics manufacturing, and energy-intensive industries.

National Aviary of Colombia

A large bird sanctuary near Cartagena that showcases Colombia's rich avian diversity.