AT THE HEART OF CARTAGENA
CASA TRUJILLO
opens its doors to you.
MORE THAN A HOME
It’s a space shaped by soul and living memory.
OUR STORY
CASA TRUJILLO:
1. A Restored Treasure in the Heart of Cartagena.
In a Cartagena still drowsy from the passage of time, when its historic center was just beginning to awaken from neglect, a family arrived with eyes set on the future and hearts rooted in the legacy of the past. It was 1994, and like many families escaping the turmoil in Medellín, the Agudelo Trujillo family found refuge within the city walls. But more than that—they found purpose.
Amid streets with an old soul, blooming balconies, and stone walls that whisper secrets of centuries past, Casa Trujillo emerged like an ancient echo—a hidden gem buried beneath layers of time. Although the house was originally built in the 18th century, formal records only date back to 1864. With its privileged location and grand proportions, one can easily imagine it as the former residence of a prominent colonial family.
2. A meeting with destiny
It was by chance—or perhaps destiny—that Rosalba Trujillo crossed paths with Gloria Zea, wife of the renowned artist Fernando Botero. Both women shared a deep passion: preserving Cartagena’s architectural soul. It was Gloria who, upon recognizing that same love for living history in Rosalba, offered her the chance to acquire a home seemingly forgotten by time, yet still pulsing beneath its deteriorated walls.
At that time, the property was in a state of abandonment. Since 1947, the Acero family had leased it to a woman named Isabel Taylor, who in turn sublet it, turning it into a kaleidoscope of tenants: a bar at the main entrance, a veterinary clinic, a metalworks company, La Barca restaurant—led by Gloria Zea herself—and several improvised apartments. In the tower, a tenant even lived without a staircase, climbing into his room using a dangling rope.
3. Restoring to Revive
Rreviving its soul"
Accompanied by renowned architect Álvaro Barrera, Rosalba led a restoration project that honored the past while embracing the present. From 1996 to 2000, a team of archaeologists and restorers uncovered frescoes, original wooden ceilings, and colonial tiles—many found buried more than half a meter beneath the surface. The result was so remarkable that Barrera selected an image of Casa Trujillo for the cover of one of his most celebrated books.
Today, in its trilobed arches of Mudéjar influence, its facade with subtle republican touches, and every corner bathed in tropical light, Casa Trujillo breathes living history.
4. More Than a House, a Legacy
For over three decades, Casa Trujillo has witnessed the life of four generations. It has hosted family celebrations, New Year’s Eve dinners, intimate weddings, and film productions.
Among its visitors are artists like Sebastián Yatra, the contestants of the National Beauty Pageant, and it was the filming location for Julio Iglesias’s music video El Bacalao.
On its corner stands Librería Ábaco—a silent guardian of culture and travel—an iconic literary space that has captivated readers from around the world and become a favorite stop for travelers in Colombia. Together, the house and the bookstore compose an emotional landscape that connects art, history, and imagination.
Today, Casa Trujillo is not merely a meticulously restored architectural work. It is a symbol of love for heritage, a home with a soul, and a fulfilled promise that the past can live—vibrant and present—when it is honored with reverence and beauty.
CORE VALUES
HERITAGE
Soul
EXCLUSIVITY
Authenticity
CONNECTION
OUR WHY
Our purpose is to inspire profound human and cultural reconnection.
We offer a sanctuary where the Caribbean’s rich history beautifully intertwines with the warmth of home, empowering families to forge and cherish invaluable memories for generations to come. We believe deeply that spaces imbued with soul possess the power to nurture the spirit and strengthen family bonds.
