The origin of Trinidad, is very closely linked with the destiny of populations south of the island and the Caribbean Basin, very particular and especially with Cartagena de Indias.
It is known that very early Trinidad starts an intense contraband trade with foreign vessels that passed through the area, and villages located on the south coast of Cuba and the Caribbean Basin. Snuff was exported to Cartagena, and not to Sevilla as expected.
The most significant event during the colonial era which has left a consistent and enduring testimony of the strong ties between the two cities is the church of La Popa, now in ruins. In Cartagena de Indias there is a neighborhood and a convent called La Popa; the chapel was built, as well as the Trinity, in invocation to the Virgin of La Candelaria. According to the legend it is said that during the trip of Cartagena traders from their home to Trinidad, a storm struck into the sea and put their lives at risk. The neighbors of La Popa de Cartagena and devotees of the Virgin, decided to entrust to her. The merchants promised to build, once based in Trinidad, a chapel in her name, as it happens in Cartagena de Indias. Cerro de la Popa, on which the-Convent and church-set was built is the highest point of the town.
In today’s age the parallels of Cartagena continue with Trinidad, this time related to the declaration by Unesco of World Heritage cities in 1984 and 1988 respectively, and second, with the subsequent tourism development in both cities.
It would not be wrong to present and propose to Cartagena de Indias as a good reference in the region, to be considered Trinidad in their future aspirations and desires to increase and improve tourism. With the advent of the North American tourism and the increasingly frequent visits of great world personalities, as it happens in Cartagena, standard of its accommodation would require a drastic evolution and transformation in order to attract and receive optimal conditions with a level of tourism in line with the wonderful potential the city has.
