One of the most iconic characters you’ll see in Cartagena de Indias (Colombia) are the smiling palenqueras — those ladies dressed in colourful outfits who balance a bowl of fresh fruits on their heads.
Originally, these women come from San Basilio de Palenque, a small village located southeast of Cartagena. In 2005, the village was declared by UNESCO as one of the Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. San Basilio de Palenque was founded in colonial times by runaway slaves and it’s considered one of the first free towns in the Americas; and its rich cultural heritage remains to this day.
Have you been to Cartagena or San Basilio de Palenque? What was your favourite part of your visit? Leave me a comment, I’d love to know!
I’m finally getting to travel to Colombia this summer, so I hope to see the palenqueras when I visit Cartagena. San Basilio de Palenque sounds very colorful, maybe I’ll be able to visit this historical town, as well!