These ancient cannons are silent witnesses of the fascinating history of our country and in particular of this area. Tolú, in its glory days, was one of the main ports that received the Spanish colonizers, who then expanded through the extensive savannas of the territory known as the Bolivar Grande, encompassing from San Onofre to the lands of Sinú and the Savanna Montañera, today known as the Montes de María.
This port was also recognized as a landing place for slaves destined for the slave stays that were established in the region. In addition, due to the fertility of these lands, it became an important supply point for the province of Cartagena de Indias. In order to protect and guard this prosperous port, a small fortified fort was built with a bastion, equipped with cannons for its defense, as was common in the fortifications of the seventeenth century.
Throughout its history, Tolu faced several pirate attacks that endangered its prosperity. The town was even burned down in 1658 during a major naval battle with Dutch pirates. From 1740, with the emergence of the new Sinú Party and the rise of Lorica as a relevant port in the region, Tolú began to decline. Fortunately, as a legacy of those glorious times, five forged iron cannons are still preserved in Tolu, which can be admired freely in Race 1. These guns are complete and are installed on artisanal pedestals made by private individuals who have assumed responsibility for their conservation.
These guns are a tangible reminder of Tolu’s maritime history and its importance as a strategic port in times past. They are a sign of the courage and resistance that characterized the inhabitants of this land in the face of the challenges and dangers they faced. Looking at these cannons, we can imagine the naval battles that were fought and feel the connection with those times of glory and adversity. It is important to preserve and value these canyons as part of Tolú’s historical and cultural heritage, as they allow us to understand and appreciate our history and the roots of our identity as a society.
