- The territory that became Colombia was first visited by Europeans when the first expedition of Alonso de ojeda arrived at the cabo de l vela in 1499. The Spanish made several attempts settle along the north of todays Colombia in the early 16th century, but there first permanent settlement, at santa marta, was not established until 1525. Cartagena was found on june 1, 1533 by Spanish commander pedro de hereida, in the former location of the indigenous Caribbean calamari village. Cartagena grew rapidly, fueled first by the gold in the tombs of the Sinu Culture, and later by trade.