Do you see that statue? It stands proudly in Plaza del Estudiante. This plaza has a rich history tied to Cartagena’s educational roots.
Plaza del Estudiante is in Cartagena’s historic center. It sits on Calle del Porvenir. The plaza faces the Claustro de San Agustín. Today, the University of Cartagena occupies this building.
Let’s journey back. The Convent of San Agustín finished construction in 1580. The plaza was named Plaza de San Agustín after the convent. In 1828, General Francisco de Paula Santander ordered a change. The University of the Isthmus and Magdalena was installed in the convent. This is now the University of Cartagena. It is the oldest university in the Colombian Caribbean. The plaza became known as Plaza de la Universidad. Later, the Municipal Council decided on a new name. It became Plaza de los Estudiantes.
Now, about that statue. It honors Manuel Dávila Flórez. He was a rector of the university. He championed higher education in the Caribbean. This was when the government considered centralizing education inland. Dávila and other important Caribbean figures resisted. The student assembly of Bolívar donated the sculpture in 1924.
The statue is marble. It features a bust atop a pedestal. The Greek goddess Athena or Minerva is carved on the pedestal. She represents wisdom. An inscription reads: “The youth of Bolívar pays homage to the teacher”.
Plaza del Estudiante tells a silent story. It speaks of Cartagena’s commitment to education. It highlights the city’s intellectual spirit. The plaza serves as a reminder. It reminds us of the ongoing pursuit of knowledge. It honors those who defend it.
Take a moment here in Plaza del Estudiante. Imagine the students who have crossed this space. Think of the debates, the ideas, the dreams born here. This plaza is more than stone and marble. It is a living testament to Cartagena’s academic heart. The Plaza del Estudiante encapsulates the history of the oldest university in the Caribbean. It is a place that safeguards part of Cartagena’s story.