Prompted by this week’s #frifotos* theme – gold – here are a few long-overdue words on the Gold Museum in Cartagena de Indias. I’ve mentioned earlier how the kids and I loved this gorgeous Colombian city, the colonial architecture, the pleasant park, the vibrant colours, the music, the people.
Now, my youngest daughter is a bit uncomfortable in the tropics. She much prefers cold temperatures, so we went inside partly to get her out of the Caribbean heat for a bit. Museo del Oro is nicely air-conditioned, (necessary to help preserve the artefacts, I’m sure). Discovering this fascinating little museum was a bonus really.
First, I must mention that Museo del Oro has much more than gold on offer. There’s ancient ceramics, bone carvings, and interesting displays on the way of life of the indigenous Zenú culture, not least their incredible feats of hydraulics engineering – 2 500-year-old hand-excavated labyrinthine canals.
Some might even find it interesting to pass through metal detectors and a heavy steel door. We’re from a country where not even the police carry weapons, so we tend to be slightly intrigued by the sight of armed guards, as well.
Nevertheless, gold plays the lead. And when you pass through that steel door, that’s what you find.
Museo del Oro is brimming with gold: complex filigree patterns, a stunning gold jaguar, and jewellery, heaps of jewellery: bracelets, anklets, penis sheaths. Seems these were all you needed in hot-weather Cartagena in pre-Colombian times. If you were a man, that is. Women wore nipple caps. Gold, of course.
The unique pieces are elaborate works of art, a testament to the imagination and skill of their creators. There’s even a large pot of gold.
Not at the end of the rainbow, but at Museo del Oro
Gold museum practicals:
Museo del Oro is well worth a stop if you’re in Cartagena.
– Museo del Oro is easy to find in the UNESCO-listed historic old city, vis-à-vis Plaza Bolivar
– Entrance is free
– Information is in Spanish, French and English
– I already mentioned a/c – a nice break from 38 °C temperatures
Have you visited a gold museum?
*#FriFotos is a weekly Twitter chat founded by @EpsteinTravels where travellers share their favourite photos. Each week has a different theme. Search #FriFotos on Twitter to see more or to join in.
How interesting!! A museum of gold!!! It is going to be enlisted in my “top priority visit list” for sure. The metal detector & the heavy steel door sounds interesting 🙂
Thanks for introducing us with an interesting place to visit.
You’re welcome 🙂
I have a friend from Columbia who’s a goldsmith, but apart from her workshop I’ve never visited a gold museum. I’d love to see this one, though.
All sorts of interesting bits of history here. And gold.
I have a two week trip planned to Colombia in February. I have the Gold Museum in Bogota in my sights. I think we’ll probably not go to Cartagena though I’d love to get your take on the don’t miss sights in Colombia.
Leigh, we were only in Cartagena. I really enjoyed the city, and I’m very curious about the rest of Colombia now, so look forward to reading about your visit. I’ve heard good things about Medellin especially.
Loved that museum! Cities are not my favorite places to travel, but Cartagena is definitely among my favorite cities in the world. Did you go to the Spanish Inquisition Museum?
No, we didn’t. Another good reason to return 🙂
If I visit a Gold Museum, it would be my first time.. Great article!
Thanks for stopping by 🙂
I’ve heard about this museum before — so fascinating. I love to read a lot about pre-Columbian times, as it relates much to the history of my island Puerto Rico. Great post!
– Maria Alexandra
I’d really like to visit Puerto Rico 🙂
I’m also not a fan of the humidity along the Caribbean Coast – this looks like a nice respite!
I imagine temperatures in inland Colombia are quite different…
This post reminds me once again how much I’d like to visit this museum. That desire stems from a visit to an exhibition called Colombian Gold, that I went to half a lifetime ago at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, back in Sydney.
Thanks for reading. Almost clear across the continent from you Cartagena is.
I’d sure love to visit this museum.
Your post reminds me of a gold exhibition I saw years ago — can’t remember if it was in DC or Ottawa — but it’s stayed in my mind since.
Great post! I also enjoyed the museum; it’s such a fascinating glimpse into the life of the Zenu people.
Wow, awesome collection!
I knew they had a Museu de Oro in Bogota, but I now see that Cartagena is boasting in gold as well.
I’ve heard and read that safety in the Caribbean area of Colombia has been improving for quite some time.