The story
Welcome to one of Cartagena’s most evocative crossroads, where the salt air of the Caribbean meets the bustling energy of the modern city. As you stand here, let the humid breeze settle around you and look up at the bronze figure that dominates this plaza. You are standing before the monument to India Catalina, a woman whose image is perhaps the most recognizable in all of Colombia, yet whose true story remains shrouded in the mists of history.
Take a moment to observe the statue’s grace. Sculpted by Eladio Gil Zambrana in 1974, Catalina is depicted with an elegant, almost defiant poise. She was a daughter of a Mokaná chief, kidnapped as a child in the early 1500s and taken to Santo Domingo.
Years later, she returned to these shores alongside the conqueror Pedro de Heredia, serving as his translator and intermediary with the indigenous tribes. To some, she is a symbol of the peaceful blending of cultures; to others, she represents the complex and often painful reality of the conquest. Notice the intricate details of her traditional dress and the way she seems to look out toward the horizon, forever caught between two worlds.
If you visit during the annual Cartagena Film Festival, you’ll see her image everywhere, as the "India Catalina" is the prestigious award given to the giants of Spanish-speaking cinema. Now, turn your attention toward the water and the structure stretching across it. This is the Puente Román, or the Roman Bridge.
It serves as a vital artery, a portal connecting the vibrant, mural-lined streets of Getsemaní with the stately, neoclassical mansions of the Manga neighborhood. The bridge bears the name of the Román family, a lineage of innovators and leaders who shaped the city’s destiny. It was Don Carlos Román who championed the construction of a permanent link here in the late 19th century, replacing the fragile wooden crossings that often succumbed to the tides.
As you look across the bridge, you can see the masts of sailboats bobbing in the bay and the modern skyscrapers of Bocagrande rising in the distance. This spot perfectly captures the spirit of Cartagena—a city that honors its ancient walls and indigenous roots while constantly reaching toward the future. Whether you choose to cross the bridge into the quiet shade of Manga’s almond trees or head back into the colorful chaos of the Old City, take the spirit of Catalina with you.
She stands as a reminder that this city was built on stories of encounter, transformation, and resilience. Enjoy your walk, breathe in the sea air, and let the Heroic City reveal its secrets to you, one step at a time.