“An unparalleled sanctuary within the walled city.”
Casa del Torno is a new and exclusive luxury house designed for tourists from Colombia and around the world. Thanks to the pleasures granted by its architecture, one can enjoy an environment where time stands still. A tropical experience in the midst of the walled city.
In this space, the privacy and tranquility provided by its architecture are experienced in a way that is unusual in the historic center of Cartagena.
Its features make Casa del Torno an unparalleled sanctuary within the walled city. Located in the traditional neighborhood of San Diego, the residence is tailored for those who wish to visit and have an unforgettable luxury experience.
Within its walls, it holds small treasures, witnesses to why it is considered one of the most beautiful colonial houses in Colombia.
Some important figures from the country and the world couldn’t resist the charm of this house at the time. For example, it was visited by the Nobel laureate in literature, Gabriel García Márquez, by the poet from Bogotá, María Mercedes Carranza, and several former presidents of Colombia.
To this select list of illustrious figures, Aseneth Velásquez, an art gallery owner and promoter from Boyacá who rented it as her residence for ten years, was added. Also, Javier de Nicoló, the Italian father, frequently slept there, as did Jorge Elías Triana, a master of muralism and oil painting of Tolimense origin, who also visited the house. One of his paintings from the series depicting mountains and water carriers, in fact, is located in the main hall.
This imposing construction, dating back to the mid-17th century, according to Bernardo Álvarez, the representative of the house, has been restored twice by architect Gloria Patricia Martínez —a recognized restorer of colonial houses in Cartagena—. The first renovation was in 1989, and the second in 2022.
The house spans 500 square meters and can accommodate up to nine people. Its spaces are distributed among four rooms, each with a private bathroom, an outdoor bar, a spacious inner courtyard, a heated pool, a terrace with a viewpoint on the second floor, a kitchen, dining area, and an entertainment lounge.
Stepping into this house is immersing oneself in captivating architectural beauty; it’s like embarking on a journey through time, a quality also reflected in the design and decoration of its spaces.
Casa del Torno is designed according to the architectural canons of the religious structures of its time, details that, despite its age, are still preserved, thanks to the owners’ commitment to caring for and maintaining the original structure.
Its name is derived from Torno Street, where it was erected, shortly after the Santa Clara convent, at a time when Cartagena was still recovering from the invasion by the English pirate Sir Francis Drake.
The house belonged to the Order of the Clarisse Sisters, serving as a residence for the sisters who had taken a vow of seclusion. While there, ‘in addition to shielding themselves from curious gazes, they received their food and medicines, and sold various bakery and pastry preparations,’ recalls Bernardo Álvarez.
Casa del Torno is a perfect residence to coexist amidst an architecture steeped in history, ideal for taking a vacation and enjoying an exclusive Colombian coffee tasting or savoring a fine local rum.
“If you’re interested, you can click here to book and have an unforgettable experience, immersed in an architecture deeply connected to the spirit of Cartagena.”
See article: Revista AXXIS
