Hidden Manga: 5 Modernist Facades You Won't See in a Guidebook
If you think Cartagena is all about the walls, the Historic Center, and Getsemaní, I invite you to walk through Manga. This neighborhood, built on an old mangrove swamp, is the best-kept secret of modern architecture in the city. While Getsemaní explodes with colors and backpacks, Manga holds a treasure of concrete, glass, and straight lines in its quiet streets that few tourists know. Here there are no palenqueras or coconut candy carts; there are houses that look like they are from a 1950s movie, with facades that tell the story of a Cartagena that wanted to be modern without ceasing to be Caribbean. In June 2026, these five gems still stand, waiting for those who know how to look at them.
Modernism arrived in Cartagena through local and foreign architects who, between 1930 and 1960, broke away from the colonial style. Manga, with its large lots and proximity to the sea, was the ideal laboratory. Here there are no glass towers like in Bogotá, but a tropical modernism: flat roofs, concrete latticework, pastel colors, and interior gardens that respond to the heat and breeze. These five facades do not appear in traditional tourist guides, but they are the dream of any architecture lover.
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What to Do: Walking Route of the 5 Modernist Facades
Putting together a route in Manga is simple because the streets are wide and tree-lined. I recommend starting early, between 7 and 9 in the morning, when the light is soft and the shadows lengthen the lines of the facades. Bring water, a hat, and a camera with a good lens. Here are the five stops, with exact coordinates so you don't get lost.
1. Avenida Santander # 1 House: The Icon of Caribbean Modernism
Coordinates: 10.4223° N, 75.5401° W
This house, on the corner of Avenida Santander and Calle 24, is the most photographed in the neighborhood, but not by ordinary tourists. Its facade combines a pure white volume with a concrete lattice that looks like geometric lace. It was designed by Cartagena-born architect Miguel de la Torre in 1952 for the González-Mendoza family. The curious thing: the lattice is not just decorative, but allows the sea breeze to cool the interior without needing air conditioning. The entrance has an abstract stained glass window in blue and green tones representing the Caribbean waves. The best time to photograph it is at 8:30 am, when the sun illuminates the stained glass from behind and projects colors onto the floor.
2. Calle 26 # 3-45 House: The Jewel of Tropical Brutalism
Coordinates: 10.4215° N, 75.5412° W
On a quiet, almost hidden street, stands this exposed concrete house that seems to float. It was designed by Bogotá-born architect Fernando Martínez Sanabria in 1958, known for his work on the Universidad Nacional building. The facade is pure concrete with a wood plank texture, and it has a cantilever that protects the entrance from the sun. What few know: the original family, the Pérez-Dávilas, requested that the house have an interior patio with a ceiba tree, which is still there, visible from the street if you peek through the gate. The ideal light is at 4 pm, when the low sun creates dramatic shadows on the concrete. Caution: the house is private, so you can only see it from the sidewalk.
3. Calle 25 # 2-10 House: Modernism with Brazilian Influence
Coordinates: 10.4208° N, 75.5395° W
This facade is a direct nod to Oscar Niemeyer. Built in 1961 by Italian architect Giuseppe Rovira (based in Cartagena since the 1940s), it has a gentle curve at the entrance that contrasts with the straight lines of the rest. The original owners, the Eljach family, were fabric merchants, and the facade uses a local limestone cladding that shines in the rain. The most striking features are the floor-to-ceiling windows, framed in mustard-yellow painted aluminum. Photograph it at 10 am, when the sun illuminates the curve and the yellow stands out against the blue sky. Don't forget the gate: it has an ironwork design with wave shapes, made by a craftsman from Mompox.
4. Avenida del Lago # 5-67 House: Caribbean Minimalism
Coordinates: 10.4199° N, 75.5420° W
Facing the Manga lake, this 1955 house is an example of how modernism adapted to the tropics. Architect Manuel de la Torre (Miguel's brother) created a two-story facade with a continuous balcony featuring pierced concrete railings. What makes it unique: the vertical wooden shutters covering the entire front, painted emerald green. The owners, the Vélez-Pareja family, were music lovers, and the house had a dance hall on the second floor with a wooden floor. The perfect light is at 5:30 pm, when the sun sets over the lake and tints the facade orange. If you're lucky, you'll see the herons flying nearby.
5. Calle 23 # 4-12 House: The Best Kept Secret
Coordinates: 10.4210° N, 75.5380° W
This is the hardest to find, hidden among leafy trees. Designed in 1963 by local architect Alberto Samudio, it has an exposed brick facade with circular windows that look like owl eyes. The entrance is a concrete bridge over a small dry pond. The story goes that the original owner, Dr. Rafael Núñez (not the president), wanted a house that looked like a ship, and Samudio achieved it with a sloping roof reminiscent of a sail. The best time to photograph it is at 7 am, when the morning mist gives it a mysterious air. Be careful with the neighbor's dogs, which usually bark but don't bite.
Where to Eat or Drink During the Route
After walking, you'll need to hydrate and grab a bite. Manga has discreet but authentic options, far from the tourist prices of the Center.
Restaurante La Casa de Socorro
At Calle 24 # 2-15, two blocks from the first facade. It's an old house converted into a restaurant. Try the rice with coconut and fried fish. Dishes from $22,000 COP. Open Monday to Saturday, 11 am to 9 pm.
Café del Lago
Facing Avenida del Lago, a small kiosk with plastic chairs. They sell black coffee ($1,500 COP) and corozo juice ($3,000 COP). Ideal for resting after the fourth stop. Open daily from 7 am to 6 pm.
Heladería Manga
At Calle 25 # 3-10, a family ice cream parlor with flavors like coconut, soursop, and tamarind. A double cone costs $4,000 COP. Perfect for the midday heat.
How to Get There and Transportation
Manga is a 15-minute walk from the Historic Center, crossing the Puente Heredia. If coming from Bocagrande, take a taxi (about $8,000 COP) or a bus that says "Manga" (fare $2,600 COP). The walking route I propose is circular and does not exceed 3 kilometers, so you can do it on foot without any problem. If you prefer a bicycle, there are rental stations on Avenida Santander, near Parque de Manga. The neighborhood is safe during the day, but as in all of Cartagena, avoid walking alone at night on dark streets. Carry the map on your phone, but download it beforehand because the mobile signal sometimes fails among the trees.
Local Tips
- Lighting hours: The best light for photos is between 7 am and 9 am, and then between 4 pm and 5:30 pm. At noon the sun is so strong that the facades lose detail.
- Clothing: Wear light clothing, comfortable shoes, and bring sunscreen. The heat in Manga is humid and sticky, even at 8 am.
- Respect for privacy: All these houses are private. Do not touch the gates, do not enter the gardens, and do not make noise. The neighbors are used to curious onlookers, but they don't like disorder.
- Fun fact: Modernism in Manga was not only architectural. In the 1950s, the families who built these houses brought Italian designer furniture and abstract art, creating a lifestyle that Cartagenans called "the Caribbean dolce vita." Some houses still preserve those original furnishings.
- Route map: Download the walking route map of the 5 modernist facades at malokal.com/mapa-manga. It includes coordinates, reference photos, and recommendations for rest stops.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I enter the houses to take photos of the interior?
No, they are all private properties and many are still inhabited by the original families or their descendants. You can only see them from the sidewalk. If you are an architect or researcher, you can try to contact the owners through the Sociedad de Mejoras Públicas de Cartagena, but there is no guarantee of a response.
How long does the full route take?
If you walk without rushing, taking photos and resting at each stop, the route will take you between 2 and 3 hours. If you want to have lunch along the way, add another hour. It is an easy walk, with no steep slopes.
Are there local guides who explain these facades?
There are no official tour guides for this route, but some local architects offer private tours. Ask at the Universidad de Cartagena, Faculty of Architecture, or search social media for groups like "Arquitectura Cartagena." You can also use the downloadable Malokal map, which includes detailed descriptions of each house.
Historical or Contextual Introduction
Manga is a neighborhood that moves away from the hustle and bustle of Cartagena's Historic Center and offers a unique look at the modernist architecture that flourished in the early 20th century. Originally, this area was developed as a residential project for the Cartagena elite seeking a quieter lifestyle, away from the port life. The houses of Manga, many built between 1920 and 1940, present a mix of architectural influences ranging from neoclassical to art deco, creating a diverse and attractive urban landscape.
The development of Manga was driven by the city's economic boom during the height of maritime trade, which allowed many families to build luxurious residences in this sector. This neighborhood is not only a residential area but also a space that reflects the social and cultural history of Cartagena. The streets are flanked by trees and canals, giving it an air of tranquility and beauty, contrasting with the busier image of the center.
To explore Manga, I recommend walking its streets and not missing details like the facades decorated with ceramics and the well-kept gardens. Furthermore, it is a place where you can still feel the essence of the daily life of Cartagenans, away from the tourist areas.