Gabo in Cartagena

Gabriel García Márquez, known worldwide as Gabo, lived in Cartagena for a time, initially for academic reasons. Later, he also worked for a city newspaper and became accustomed to exploring and enjoying the historic center, including the Centro and Getsemaní neighborhoods. Like anyone else, he made friends and participated in conversations, sharing moments of conversation and enjoying Cartagena's social and cultural dynamics.

This city became an inexhaustible source of inspiration for García Márquez, who drew from it characters and stories that brought his works to life. It is significant to mention that many elements of Cartagena served as the basis for his famous novel "Love in the Time of Cholera," as well as for his other literary creations. The city's daily life, its inhabitants, its palette of colors, aromas, and flavors are intertwined in the magical realism that characterizes his narrative, merging with the essence of Macondo.

There are iconic landmarks in Cartagena that leave Gabo's mark, such as the Clock Tower, the Getsemaní Market, Plaza de la Trinidad, Calle de la Media Luna, and Calle del Espíritu Santo. Furthermore, his relationship with the Zapata Olivella family and other prominent figures from Cartagena also had a significant influence on his literary work. The city, in short, left a profound mark on García Márquez's creative universe, becoming a constant reference in his fiction.