The Story of Plaza Santo Domingo & Fernando Botero, Colombia’s most famous artist
Plaza Santo Domingo lies at the heart of the old walled city of Cartagena and is one of the city’s most famous squares. The square is named after the Santo Domingo Church that stands in one of its corners and is lined with charming colonial buildings. The restaurants provide ample outdoor seating and are the perfect spot for dinner or a nightcap. The lively square is full of tourists and street vendors at all hours of the day.
Sadly, the square has a sordid past and was the site of executions during the Spanish Inquisition where Jewish people and non-Catholics were persecuted. There is even a legend that the Devil himself tried jumping on the roof of the Church of Santo Domingo You can learn more about this tragic time in Cartagena’s history at the Palace of the Inquisition.
Luckily, today the square is a charming place with beautiful buildings and talented street musicians. However, the star of Plaza Santo Domingo is undoubtedly La Gorda Gertrudis, a Rubenesque bronze beauty that lies naked on a pedestal in the square. Rumor has it that if you give her breast a rub, you will have good luck. This rotund bronze statue was created by the world-famous Colombian artist Fernando Botero.
