Puerta del Reloj, Cartagena

The Puerta del Reloj (pronounced [ˈpweɾta ðel reˈlox]), Torre del Reloj (pronounced [ˈtore ðel reˈlox]) or Boca del Puente (pronounced [ˈboka ðel ˈpwente]) is the main city gate of the historic center of Cartagena de Indias, in Colombia and the original entrance of the fortified city.

While the name of Boca del Puente is due to the fact that during the colonial period, a drawbridge was raised at the foot of the channel of San Anastasio, which linked the walled city to the legendary Getsemaní neighborhood.

In addition the bridge served like defense of the city, since in case of enemy attack, this one was raised to prevent the access of buccaneers and pirates.

The Puerta del Reloj is the work of the Spanish military engineer Juan de Herrera y Sotomayor, founder of the Cartagena Academy, and its style recalls the facade of the main church of the Monasterio de San Francisco in the Colonial City of Santo Domingo.

In fact both gates present a half-point Roman arch, flanked by two pairs of Tuscan columns, and the same entablature with a frieze decorated with triglyphs.