The Jesuit community of Cartagena was established in the early 17th century and over time a church, school, monastery, and other buildings were erected to allow the priests to carry out their religious and educational duties. (...)
The Jesuit community of Cartagena was established in the early 17th century and over time a church, school, monastery, and other buildings were erected to allow the priests to carry out their religious and educational duties. The Cloister of San Pedro Claver took on particular cultural significance for its connection to the acts of San Pedro Claver, an advocate for the fair treatment of slaves in the 17th century. The Jesuit community was exiled from Cartagena from 1767 until 1896. During the absence of the Jesuits from the site, the complex was used first as a hospital and then as a military base. Since its return to the Jesuits, the complex has functioned as a parish church and the headquarters .of the Centro de Estudios de la Raza Afrocaribe, There is also a museum with displays about San Pedro Claver as well as art and archaeological finds from the region. In 1995, the complex was named a National Cultural Landmark in Cartagena. Since that time the Universidad Javeriana has conduct studies on the conditions and conservation needs of the cloister. The Universidad Javeriana performed technical studies, including an archaeological survey completed in 1998, and developed a conservation plan for the cloister in 2002.
