With the restoration of democracy in our country at the end of the 50’s decade, an unusual interest in socio-economic development emerged in different regions. In our Department -the Magdalena Grande- the idea of creating a center for higher studies began to arise again in order to serve as a support for this process; in addition, because there was a crucial moment at the time that created great expectations about the future development of economic, political, social and cultural activities not only in the region and the country, but also throughout the American Continent, since the triumph of the Cuban revolution had such considerable impact on the public opinion that it became a mandatory point of reference in the generation of new ideas and hopes.

At the regional level, important events were also taking place. These events created a unique situation for our immediate future development such as the modernization of the port of Santa Marta, the culmination of the Atlantic Railway, the construction of the road that connects us quickly with Barranquilla and therefore with the rest of the Caribbean coast. Also, the project of the Caribbean highway, the rapid process of urbanization which Santa Marta was undergoing and the boost of agricultural development which was given to the region with new crops such as cotton, African oil palm, rice, etc., were essential for our development. Likewise, banana cultivation was being improved to increase its profitability.

The University of Magdalena is a state-owned institution of territorial order, created by Ordinance No. 005 of October 27, 1958, organized as a stand-alone institution of special regime, linked to the Ministry of National Education with regard to policies and planning within the educational sector.

By: https://unimagdalena.edu.co

Santa Marta was the bridge between Spain, Santo Domingo, and the New Continent, serving as the departure point for Europeans to colonize the rest of the country. Among them were Jiménez de Quesada, Pedro de Heredia, Suárez Rendón, Pedro de Ursúa, and Antonio Díaz Cardoso. After a promising beginning, the arrival of pirates in 1543 marked the city’s decline, as merchants relocated to Cartagena, which then took over maritime supremacy since Spanish ships no longer docked at the Samarian port. Santa Marta was attacked and taken by French, English, and Dutch pirates. Looting, torture, suffering, and insecurity forced many residents to flee to safer places such as Cartagena, Mompox, and Ocaña. The city was nearly depopulated, and no remains of the original settlement survived, as it was burned more than twenty times until 1692.

Santa Marta has unique characteristics, including the Sierra Nevada, the highest coastal mountain range in the world, with Pico Bolívar as its highest peak and the tallest elevation in Colombia. It was the first city founded in South America (1525) by the same Sevillian explorer who discovered it in 1502 when he traveled along almost the entire Colombian Atlantic coast. This was Rodrigo de Bastidas, who also named the Magdalena River and the Darién Gulf. With the help of the indigenous people inhabiting the Samarian valley, this conquistador built wooden and thatched houses to accommodate the 300 men from his ships, including several farmers who traveled with their wives and two religious figures from the Order of Mercy, who built the first church on the mainland.

Despite these hardships, Santa Marta grew during its first three centuries. By 1725, several streets had formed, starting from the Plaza Mayor, where the Banco de la República building stands today. These included Calle de la Marina or de la Cruz (now No. 12), Calle de la Iglesia Mayor or de San Francisco (now No. 13), Calle del Cuartel or de la Cárcel (No. 14), Calle de la Acequia (No. 15), Calle Santo Domingo (No. 16), Calle de la Veracruz, Calle Real or Calle Grande (No. 17). Others included Calle de Mamatoco (an extension eastward from Calle de San Francisco) and Calle de Madrid, leading towards the old Camino Viejo de Gaira (now Avenida Bavaria). By 1820, the western section of this street had developed under the name Calle del Pozo (No. 18).

Regarding today’s avenues, only three existed until the late 18th century, and the Fourth Avenue (formerly Callejón Real) was just beginning to take shape. The current Second Avenue was named after the river branch that once ran along its course, hence it was called Calle del Río until Calle Grande. Further along, it was known as Callejón del Seminario, named after the building that still stands there. Later, it was called Callejón del Cuartel, as it passed by the old Infantry Command built in 1792 by Antonio Marchante, the same man who constructed the present-day Cathedral.

In front of the Infantry Command, the city’s second most important plaza was established: Plaza de Annas, which was renamed Plaza de la Constitución in 1827 and is now known as Parque de Bolívar. On its northeast side stands the Casa de la Aduana, where Simón Bolívar stayed from December 1 to December 6, 1830. His body was laid in state in that same house from the night of December 17 until December 20, when his remains were buried in the Cathedral.

By https://www.santamarta.gov.co

VISAS
Citizens of some countries need to present a tourist visa that must be processed at Colombian embassies or consulates abroad. In the following link you can verify if you require a visa or not.

Check the countries that require a visa at https://www.cancilleria.gov.co/tramites_servicios/visa/requisitos.

Likewise, review Resolution 1128 of 2019: https://www.cancilleria.gov.co/sites/default/files/resolucion_1128_de_2018.pdf.

For more information about arriving to Colombia visit Colombia Travel Information site