Learn about Palenque
San Basilio de Palenque, often simply called Palenque, is a small village located about an hour inland from Cartagena, Colombia. Recognized by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity, Palenque holds deep historical and cultural significance.
Palanque:
Founded in the 17th century by escaped African slaves led by Benkos Biohó, Palenque became the first free African settlement in the Americas. To this day, it proudly preserves its Afro-Colombian heritage, language (Palenquero, a Spanish-based Creole), music, rituals, and oral traditions.
Ivan Duque Martinez:
Iván Duque Márquez is a prominent Colombian figure—a lawyer turned politician who led the country during a turbulent period, advanced migrant rights, and has since pivoted into global leadership, academia, and even music as a DJ. Let me know if you want deeper insights into his policies, specific controversies, or his new career path!
Town Center:
This is an authentic marketplace—organized by families and artisans with stalls selling hand-woven jewelry, such as earrings and bracelets crafted from local fibers and beads. Hats and clothing, often sewn or woven on-site, displaying the bold patterns of Afro-Colombian heritage. Herbalists offer teas, ointments, and tinctures made from native plants to aid digestion, soothe insect bites, and support general wellness. These remedies reflect centuries-old practices—a testament to Palenque’s role in preserving ancestral knowledge.
