As I mentioned in a previous post, the construction of the Sofitel in 1993 in the Old City of Cartagena began a process of urban renewal that has resulted in the lovely restaurants and hotels that you can find today. The Sofitel Santa Clara is located in the heart of the old city, in the interior of a former convent, a jewel of 17th century colonial architecture which is on UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites. Gabriel Garcia Marquez used this convent as the setting for one of his novels, “Of Love and Other Demons”. The renovation of the hotel led to the discovery of numerous archeological artifacts that are now on view at the hotel. 1621 lies in one of their mythical rooms, a former dining room for the Clare order nuns. The 1621 restaurant has several venues, both indoor and out, we chose to eat under the stars in the lush green central courtyard. [Read more…]