Top of the World
Cartagena is blessed with many gorgeous buildings thanks to the talents of two architects at the end of the 19th century and the early 20th century: Tomás Rico Valarino and Víctor Beltrí. Their designs combined Modernism and Art Nouveau. Some people call the style Eclectic. Both of them worked on the Gran Hotel. This spectacular façade was crafted in 1912 from Macael marble, granite and bricks plus crowned with a zinc dome. This is now an office building. Several more examples from these famous designers can be savored along Calle Mayor. Walking tours for architecture aficionados are available.
