In Cartagena, streets also tell stories. Some whisper softly; Tripita y Media speaks straight to you.
If you walk through Getsemaní, it’s inevitable: you stop, glance at the sign, and smile, wondering: who on earth named it this way?
The charm is that there isn’t just one answer. Between old papers and street corner rumors, two tales coexist… and both have style.
The historical version: Troncoso and Canabal
This street didn’t always have its quirky name.
First, it was Calle del Troncoso, probably for a Galician neighbor.
Later, with the winds of Independence, it was renamed Canabal Street, in honor of Eusebio María Canabal, one of the signers of the 1811 Act.
What’s curious? The official name never quite stuck. Among the whispers of the neighborhood, the name that prevailed was “Tripita y Media”—and that’s where things get juicy.
The fish and the fritanga
Getsemaní is an expert at handing down stories across sidewalks. As for this nickname’s origin, two classics keep coming back:
The fisher girl with stockings
They say a young woman from a family of fishermen lived here. She used to save fish guts for cooking later. One day, she showed up at a party wearing shiny new stockings, a gift from her godmother.
The contrast between tripita (little gut) and media (stocking) did the rest: the nickname stuck to her… and eventually to the street.
The elegant fritanga lady
Another tale speaks of a woman who fried fish tripe in the area. A stroke of luck allowed her to buy stockings to “elevate the look”—though she still wore flip-flops.
Neighbors, always up for a playful tease, christened her Tripita y Media. And as often happens in Cartagena: the nickname became so important that it turned into an official address.
Contrasting sources and collective memory
There are documents, yes; definitive proof, no.
Both popular stories share the same DNA: a hardworking woman, tripe as a humble symbol, stockings as an aspirational gesture, and that witty spark so Caribbean.
Meanwhile, the archives mention Troncoso and Canabal. In other words, we have what’s written and what’s lived.
The outcome? The nickname won by a landslide.
Because in Getsemaní, memory is written on walls, at street corners, in after-dinner chats… and it often outweighs any decree.
Read more: Discover the 6 best plans to enjoy slow living in Cartagena
Official record or neighborhood voice?
We may never have the “birth certificate” of the name. And that’s fine.
On one side, the official story with heroes and surnames; on the other, the neighborhood’s cheeky spirit, able to baptize with affection what paperwork could never impose.
In the end, Tripita y Media is just that: a living tale, woven between myth, memory, and community.
And that’s exactly where its magic lies.
Next time you wander through Getsemaní: stop at the sign, listen to what neighbors have to say… and let yourself drift.
FAQ
1) Where exactly is Calle Tripita y Media?
In the heart of Getsemaní, just a few minutes’ walk from Parque del Centenario and very close to Calle Larga. It’s a short, colorful, and super photogenic street.
2) Isn’t the official name Tripita y Media?
Historically, it was recorded as Troncoso and later Canabal. However, popular use imposed “Tripita y Media.” In Getsemaní, people’s memory usually has the last word.
3) Is it good for photos? Any quick tips?
Absolutely Instagram-worthy: colors, wooden doors, murals, and neighborhood life. Go during soft light (early morning or golden hour), respect house entrances, and if you want to photograph someone, always ask for permission.
4) What’s the best time to visit?
Early morning for clean light and fewer people, or late afternoon for warm tones and that bohemian vibe that lights up in Getsemaní.
