Quick search
CTRL+K
Quick search
CTRL+K
Bogotá is the capital of Colombia, and is a city located in the Andes Mountains at an altitude of 2,640 meters above sea level. Bogotá was founded on August 6, 1538, by the Spanish conquistador Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada. The city was established on the site of a previous settlement inhabited by the Muisca people, an advanced indigenous civilization known for their expertise in agriculture, trade, and goldsmithing. The Spanish called the city Santa Fe de Bogotá, and it served as the administrative center of the Spanish Viceroyalty of New Granada, which included present-day Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, and Venezuela.
During the colonial period, Bogotá became an important religious, political, and educational center. And in 1821, Bogotá became the capital of the newly formed Gran Colombia under the leadership of Simón Bolívar. This happened after a long war of independence against Spanish rule. After the dissolution of Gran Colombia in 1831, Bogotá remained the capital of the Republic of Colombia. The city’s role as a center of politics and education grew, and many of the country’s most important institutions were founded here, such as the Universidad Nacional de Colombia in 1867.
In the 20th century, Bogotá underwent a rapid urbanization and population growth. The population of the city and metropolitan area increased from approximately 300,000 in 1938 to over 7 million today. There have been periods of political unrest and violence, such as La Violencia and the later conflict between guerrilla groups and the government, which have marked some of the city’s history. Nevertheless, Bogotá has developed into a dynamic metropolis with a growing economy, improved infrastructure, and a strong focus on culture and education, and it is today an important economic and cultural center in South America.
Bogotá offers many exciting attractions. One of the most iconic is the Monserrate mountain, where you can take a cable car up and get a fantastic view of the Colombian capital. You will also visit La Candelaria, Bogotá’s historic center. The neighborhood is filled with colonial buildings, museums and cafes, and here you will find the Plaza de Bolívar, which is the setting for several magnificent performances. In La Candelaria you will also find the famous Gold Museum/Museo del Oro, which has one of the world’s largest collections of pre-Columbian gold jewelry. Bogotá is also known for its green spaces, bike paths and beautiful natural surroundings.
La Candelaria is the historic center of the Colombian capital, and the district plays a crucial role in the history of both the country and the city. The neighborhood dates back to the 16th century, when the Spanish colonists founded the city in 1538. The narrow cobblestone streets, colorful colonial buildings, and old churches still bear witness to this time, when the area served as the original core of Bogotá. Many of the buildings have been preserved in their original style, making La Candelaria a kind of living museum where you can feel the architecture and cultural history of the past.
Today, La Candelaria is not only known for its history, but also for its rich cultural life and the many attractions that can be experienced here. One of the most famous places is the Plaza de Bolívar, the city’s central square, which is surrounded by important buildings such as the Bogotá Cathedral, the city’s Palace of Justice, and the National Parliament. Also nearby is the presidential palace, Casa de Nariño, where the President of Colombia has his official office. The area is also home to several of the city’s most important museums, such as the famous Gold Museum/Museo del Oro, which houses an exceptional collection of pre-Columbian gold jewelry and other objects.
The Botero Museum/Museo Botero is another highlight of La Candelaria. It is a place where you can experience the works of Colombian artist Fernando Botero, known for his characteristic and voluminous figures. The museum houses not only Botero’s own works, but also international masterpieces by artists such as Picasso, Monet and Dalí, donated by Botero himself. La Candelaria is also known for its small art galleries, theaters and street cafes, which give the area a lively bohemian atmosphere. You will also find plenty of street art here, which contributes to the neighborhood’s identity.
Plaza de Bolívar is a square located in the heart of Bogotá, and has been a central gathering point since the country’s colonial era. Originally known as Plaza Mayor, Plaza de Bolívar served as a marketplace and center for public ceremonies during the Spanish colonial era. Over time, the square evolved into a symbol of political power and national identity. It was officially renamed in honor of Simón Bolívar, the freedom fighter who played a crucial role in Colombia’s independence from Spain in the early 19th century. A statue of Bolívar from 1846 can be seen in the center of the square.
Several of Bogotá’s major and most famous attractions are located around the square. On the eastern side of Plaza de Bolívar stands the Catedral Primada de Colombia, also known as the Bogotá Cathedral. This impressive neoclassical building was built between 1807 and 1823 as one of the largest churches in South America. With its symmetrical facade, tall columns, and three bell towers, it dominates the square’s architectural landscape. The cathedral also houses the remains of Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada, the founder of the city of Bogotá.
To the south along Plaza de Bolívar is the Capitolio Nacional, the name of Colombia’s parliament building. Construction began in 1847 but was not completed until 1926. The church stands majestically and is an excellent example of classicist architecture, with Roman columns and a harmonious facade that symbolizes the republican order. The church’s interior features several murals, including works by the famous Colombian artist Santiago Martínez Delgado, illustrating important moments in the nation’s history.
On the north side of the square is the Palacio de Justicia, the city’s and the country’s modern Supreme Court building. The building was rebuilt after being destroyed in an attack in 1985. The building’s sober and modern concrete style contrasts with the rest of the square’s classical architecture, but at the same time emphasizes the country’s status as a constitutional state and the stability it embodies. Bogotá City Hall and the Casa del Florero can be seen to the west. Casa del Florero is a colonial house where an incident in 1810 sparked Colombia’s independence movement. Together, these buildings make Plaza de Bolívar an architecturally intriguing place to visit.
The Catedral Primada de Colombia, also known simply as Bogotá Cathedral, is one of the most important religious buildings in Colombia, and is centrally located on Plaza de Bolívar. The first church on the site was built in 1539, shortly after the founding of Bogotá. However, the current cathedral dates from the early 19th century, with construction beginning in 1807 under the direction of Spanish architect Fray Domingo de Petrés. The building was completed in 1823. The cathedral has since served as the seat of the Archbishop of Bogotá, and is a national symbol both religiously and historically, housing the tomb of the city’s founder, Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada.
The cathedral’s architectural style is predominantly neoclassical, as seen in its harmonious proportions, clean lines, and symmetrical facade. The building is dominated by large Corinthian columns and three bell towers, the middle one of which is the tallest and carries the church’s bells. The facade was built in light stone, which emphasizes its dignity and gives it a calm and majestic expression in the middle of the vibrant city center. The cathedral fills almost the entire eastern side of the important square, Plaza de Bolívar, and it acts as an architectural counterpoint to the other stately buildings on the square.
Inside the Catedral Primada de Colombia, you will find a spacious and high-ceilinged church room with vaulted ceilings, marble floors and several beautiful side chapels. The altar is richly decorated with religious figures and gilded details, and the choir is decorated in the Baroque style with dark wood carvings. The chapels contain paintings and sculptures from different periods of Colombia’s colonial and republican history. A special feature of the interior is the calm atmosphere, which stands in contrast to the lively urban space outside. This makes the church a place of reflection, historical immersion and religious devotion, and it can be used as a short break during a walking tour of Bogotá.
The Museo del Oro or Gold Museum is one of Colombia’s most famous and visited museums. Located in the historic center of Bogotá, it was founded in 1939 by the Banco de la República to preserve and exhibit the country’s rich pre-Columbian gold art. Today, the museum houses over 55,000 objects made of gold and other materials, created by Colombia’s indigenous people long before Spanish colonization. It serves not only as an art and cultural institution, but also as an important source for understanding the complex societies and cosmologies that existed in the region for centuries.
The exhibitions in the Museo del Oro are modern and interactive, and are divided into thematic spaces that explain the importance of gold in indigenous cultures; not as economic capital, but as a spiritual and ceremonial material. Among the museum’s most impressive objects is the famous Balsa Muisca, a small golden boat with figures symbolizing the legend of El Dorado. Visitors can also experience a darkened room called the Golden Room, where gold objects are displayed in a dramatic universe of light and sound. The museum thus offers both historical immersion and aesthetic experience, and it is worth visiting on a trip to Bogotá.
Monserrate is a mountain that is one of Bogotá’s most iconic landmarks. It has been an important religious and cultural center for centuries, rising to a height of 3,152 meters above sea level. It has been a pilgrimage site since colonial times. In 1640, the first chapel dedicated to the Virgin of Montserrat was built on the top of the mountain. In 1656, a statue of the Fallen Christ, El Señor Caído, was erected, increasing the religious significance of the site. In 1925, the current neo-Gothic sanctuary was completed to accommodate the increasing number of pilgrims and visitors.
Monserrate attracts both believers and tourists who want to enjoy the spectacular views of Bogotá from the mountaintop. There are several ways to reach the top, all of which are worth the trip. You can walk down a steep 2.4-kilometer hiking trail, or you can take a ride on the teleférico cable car or take a cogwheel railway or funicular to the heights. At the top, you will find not only the sanctuary, but also restaurants, souvenir shops and viewpoints that offer various panoramic views of the city. The place is especially popular at sunset and during religious holidays such as Easter, when many participate in processions and masses.
Cerro de Guadalupe is one of the most prominent peaks in eastern Bogotá, with a height of 3,360 meters above sea level. The mountain has been an important religious site since colonial times, when the first chapel, dedicated to the Virgin of Guadalupe, was built in 1656, and was an important pilgrimage site. The chapel was destroyed by several earthquakes in the 18th and 19th centuries, but was rebuilt in 1945. In 1946, a 15-meter-high statue of the Virgin of the Immaculate Conception was erected on the mountaintop. The statue was created by Colombian sculptor Gustavo Arcila Uribe.
Visitors can reach the top of Cerro de Guadalupe via a steep path that leads to a viewpoint with a breathtaking panoramic view of Bogotá. The place is less visited by tourists than nearby Monserrate, which makes for a more peaceful experience on Cerro de Guadalupe than on Monserrate. For example, you can choose to go to the top on a Sunday, when masses are held in the mountain’s chapel. You can also enjoy small stalls selling food and religious souvenirs, while of course you can also just go to the top to enjoy the breathtaking view of the Colombian capital.
Museo Botero is one of Colombia’s most important art museums, conveniently located in the heart of the historic La Candelaria district of Bogotá. Founded in 2000, the museum was built on a generous donation from the renowned Colombian artist Fernando Botero, known for his unique style of voluminous figures and oversized proportions. Botero donated a total of 208 works of art, 123 of which were his own. The remaining 85 works came from his private collection and included international masters such as Picasso, Monet, Dalí, Chagall, Renoir, Matisse and Miró.
The museum is housed in a beautiful 18th-century colonial house with interior courtyards and classic Spanish architecture, creating a contrasting setting for modern art. The exhibitions are thematically and aesthetically curated, and you can experience Botero’s works in painting, sculpture and drawing. His distinctive style, often called boterismo, reflects humor, criticism, and reflection on social conditions, religion, and politics. In addition, the combination of Botero’s distinctive art and masterpieces from Western art history makes the museum an unmissable attraction in Bogotá.
The Museo Nacional de Colombia is the country’s oldest and most comprehensive museum. It was founded in 1823, just three years after Colombia’s independence. Today, the museum is housed in a former fortress and prison building known as el Panóptico. Built in the 19th century in a neoclassical style, the building’s distinctive architecture was inspired by Jeremy Bentham’s panopticon principles, and the thick stone walls and curved corridors still bear traces of its past.
The museum’s collection includes over 20,000 objects spanning archaeology, history, art and ethnography. Here, you can follow Colombia’s development from pre-Columbian civilizations through the colonial era and the struggle for independence to modern times. Highlights include mummies from the Andean region, ancient pottery finds, portraits of freedom fighters such as Simón Bolívar, and works by Colombian artists such as Débora Arango, Alejandro Obregón and Fernando Botero. In addition to its permanent exhibitions, the Museo Nacional offers a wide range of temporary exhibitions to explore.
The Jardín Botánico de Bogotá is the largest botanical garden in Colombia. It was founded in 1955 and named in honor of the Spanish botanist José Celestino Mutis, who led the famous botanical expedition to New Granada in the late 18th century. Located in western Bogotá, close to Parque Simón Bolívar, it covers an area of about 20 hectares and serves as a research, conservation and education center for Colombia’s rich plant biodiversity. The botanical garden is particularly focused on the flora of the Andes and the highland ecosystem that Bogotá itself is located in, known as páramo.
The garden is divided into thematic areas, each representing different Colombian ecosystems, including rainforest, dry forest, desert vegetation and páramo. Visitors can see thousands of species of trees, shrubs, orchids, cacti, medicinal plants, and more. One of the most impressive areas is the large tropical greenhouse, divided into climatic zones, which displays flora from the Amazon, Chocó, and Orinoquía regions. In addition, there is an extensive rosarium, beautiful water basins, and areas for bird watching and recreation.
Parque Simón Bolívar is the largest and most central urban park in Bogotá. It covers an area of approximately 400 hectares, making it a large park like Central Park in New York and Hyde Park in London. The park is located in the geographical center of Bogotá and is easily accessible from many parts of the city. The park was created in the 1960s as part of the city’s effort to develop green spaces for recreation and public events. The park is named after Simón Bolívar, the famous South American freedom fighter.
Today, the park serves as a recreational space with areas for sports, concerts, picnics, water activities, etc. The large outdoor concert area called Escenario al Aire Libre has a capacity of up to 100,000 people and is used for festivals, among other things. Parque Simón Bolívar also contains an artificial lake where you can rent boats, as well as large green areas with paths for running, cycling and walking. There are also several playgrounds, outdoor fitness equipment and botanical zones in the park.
The Museo de Arte Moderno de Bogotá or MAMBO is an art museum founded in 1955 and opened to the public in 1963 under the direction of art critic Marta Traba. The current museum building was designed by Colombian architect Rogelio Salmona and was completed in 1985. The building has several floors with exhibition halls, an auditorium, a cinema, and other facilities.
MAMBO houses one of Colombia’s most extensive collections of modern and contemporary art, with over 4,000 works. The collection includes works by prominent Colombian artists such as Beatriz González, Fernando Botero, and Ana Mercedes Hoyos, as well as international names such as Andy Warhol, Pablo Picasso, and Salvador Dalí. The museum also has a significant photography library with over 100,000 photographs and negatives, making it an important resource for art enthusiasts and researchers.
Maloka Museo Interactivo was founded in 1998 as Colombia’s first interactive museum dedicated to science and technology. The name Maloka comes from the traditional communal houses of the indigenous people of the Amazon, where knowledge and culture were shared. Located in the Ciudad Salitre neighborhood, the museum has exhibitions both above and below ground. Maloka is decorated with thematic exhibition spaces covering topics such as the universe, water, biodiversity, the human body, telecommunications and urban development.
The museum has developed over 300 interactive modules that engage visitors in hands-on learning. One of the main attractions is the domed theater with a capacity of 314 people, where 3D documentaries on scientific topics are shown. In addition, Maloka houses facilities such as a café and restaurant, so you can make a good trip out of a visit to the museum.
The Santuario Nacional Nuestra Señora del Carmen, located in the central La Candelaria neighborhood, is a church with roots in the 17th century. The original church was built in 1655 as part of a Carmelite monastery, but after several modifications and changes of ownership, it was decided to build a new church to accommodate the growing devotion to the Virgin Mary under the title of Nuestra Señora del Carmen. Construction of the current building began in 1926 and was completed in 1938. The facility was designed by Italian architect Giovanni Buscaglione, who integrated elements of Florentine Gothic, Byzantine and Arabic styles. He was inspired by his travels to Italy, Constantinople, Izmir and Alexandria.
The church is known for its unique architecture and colorful facade, combining red and white stripes, making it easily recognizable in the city’s streetscape. The interior of the church consists of three naves in the shape of a Latin cross and is richly decorated with mosaics, frescoes and stained glass. The mosaics were imported from Venetian workshops, and the stained glass depicting scenes from the lives of Don Bosco and Saint Francis de Sales was made in Germany. The 57-meter-high bell tower completes the impressive silhouette of the church. In 1993, the Santuario Nacional Nuestra Señora del Carmen, along with the adjacent Colegio Salesiano de León XIII, was declared a national monument of Colombia.
Torres del Parque, officially known as Residencias El Parque, is an iconic residential complex located in the La Macarena neighborhood of central Bogotá. Designed by Colombian architect Rogelio Salmona between 1965 and 1970, the complex consists of three curved towers built in red brick. These towers surround the Plaza de Toros de Santamaría and are inspired by both the circular shape of the bullring and the surrounding eastern mountains, creating a harmonious integration with the city’s landscape. The three towers are named C, A and B from north to south, and they vary in height. Tower A is the tallest with 37 floors and a height of 117 meters.
In total, the complex contains 294 apartments of various sizes. A notable feature of the design is the extensive use of public spaces, with around 75% of the area dedicated to gardens, paths and squares. This creates a smooth transition between the private residential area and the public space, promoting community and interaction among residents and visitors. Torres del Parque has been recognized as a masterpiece of 20th-century Latin American architecture. The complex received the National Architecture Award in 1976 and was declared a National Heritage Site in 1995.
The Capitolio Nacional is the seat of the Colombian Congress and the political institution is located on the south side of Plaza de Bolívar in Bogotá. Construction began on July 20, 1848, under President Tomás Cipriano de Mosquera, with Danish architect Thomas Reed as the main designer. The project was ambitious and intended to house both the Senate and the House of Representatives, as well as other government institutions. Construction took 78 years and involved seven different architects, including Pietro Cantini and Mariano Sanz de Santamaría, before it was completed in 1926.
The building is an excellent example of neoclassical architecture, and its most striking feature is the Elliptical Hall/Salón Elíptico, where the plenary sessions of the Congress are held. The facade is adorned with Ionic columns and simple lines, reflecting the republican spirit of the 19th century. Inside the building, there are also interior courtyards and sculptures, such as a statue of President Mosquera, created by the German sculptor Ferdinand von Miller.
There are several significant works of art in the Capitolio Nacional. In 1938, Ignacio Gómez Jaramillo painted two murals for the building, and in 1947, Santiago Martínez Delgado created an impressive fresco in the Salón Elíptico, depicting Simón Bolívar and Francisco de Paula Santander during the Congress of Cúcuta. This work is considered one of the most important frescoes in Colombia and is a central element of the building’s artistic heritage. In its beautiful setting, the Capitolio Nacional continues to serve as the central seat of Colombia’s legislative branch. The building is open to the public through guided tours, where visitors can explore its architecture and history.
Casa de Nariño or Palacio de Nariño is the official residence and workplace of the President of Colombia. The house was built on the site of the birthplace of Antonio Nariño, a prominent figure in the Colombian independence movement. In 1885, President Rafael Núñez ordered the purchase of the property to establish an official presidential residence. The current building was designed by architects Gastón Lelarge and Julián Lombana and was inaugurated on July 20, 1908. Since then, it has served as both the residence and workplace of the country’s presidents.
The building is an example of neoclassical architecture, characterized by its symmetry and use of classical elements. It has undergone several renovations and expansions, including a significant remodeling in 1979, which added modern facilities. Inside, the palace houses a number of historical objects and works of art that reflect Colombia’s cultural heritage. In addition, there are a number of official salons and meeting rooms used for state events and receptions. The palace can be visited on guided tours that provide insight into its history and function. These tours usually need to be booked in advance.
Founded in 1867, the Universidad Nacional de Colombia is the largest and most prestigious public higher education institution in the country. The main campus in Bogotá is known as Ciudad Universitaria and was inaugurated on August 5, 1938, under President Alfonso López Pumarejo as part of his reform program La Revolución en Marcha. The architect behind the campus was the German-Colombian Leopoldo Rother. The campus is one of the first examples of modern urban planning in Colombia and covers a large area. Among the many university buildings, some have been declared national monuments, reflecting the architectural and historical importance of the campus.
The Sede Bogotá offers undergraduate programs and several hundred postgraduate programs, and attracts thousands of students from all over the country. It is one of the most sought-after institutions in Colombia. In addition to academics, the Universidad Nacional offers a number of cultural and scientific facilities. These include the Observatorio Astronómico Nacional, the Casa Museo Jorge Eliécer Gaitán, the Claustro de San Agustín, the Museo Paleontológico de Villa de Leyva, and the Estación de Biología Tropical Roberto Franco in Villavicencio. These institutions support the university’s mission to promote research and preserve Colombia’s cultural and scientific heritage.
Bogota, Colombia[/caption]
Overview of Bogota
Shenyang is the capital of Liaoning Province in northeastern China. It was first known as Shenzhou during the Khitan Kingdom in the 10th century. It later became an important border city during the Liao Dynasty, which ruled from 907 to 1125. In the 17th century, Shenyang, then called Mukden, became the capital of the rising Manchu Empire under the leadership of General Nurhaci. Mukden served as a strategic base for the Manchu conquest of China and the establishment of the Qing Dynasty.
About the Whitehorse travel guide
Contents: Tours in the city + tours in the surrounding area
Published: Released soon
Author: Stig Albeck
Publisher: Vamados.com
Language: English
About the travel guide
The Whitehorse travel guide gives you an overview of the sights and activities of the Canadian city. Read about top sights and other sights, and get a tour guide with tour suggestions and detailed descriptions of all the city’s most important churches, monuments, mansions, museums, etc.
Whitehorse is waiting for you, and at vamados.com you can also find cheap flights and great deals on hotels for your trip. You just select your travel dates and then you get flight and accommodation suggestions in and around the city.
Read more about Whitehorse and Canada
Canada Travel Guide: https://vamados.com/canada
City tourism: https://visitwhite-horse.ca
Main Page: https://www.vamados.com/
Buy the travel guide
Click the “Add to Cart” button to purchase the travel guide. After that you will come to the payment, where you enter the purchase and payment information. Upon payment of the travel guide, you will immediately receive a receipt with a link to download your purchase. You can download the travel guide immediately or use the download link in the email later.
Use the travel guide
When you buy the travel guide to Whitehorse you get the book online so you can have it on your phone, tablet or computer – and of course you can choose to print it. Use the maps and tour suggestions and you will have a good and content-rich journey.
The Museo Nacional de Colombia is the country’s oldest and most comprehensive museum. It was founded in 1823, just three years after Colombia’s independence. Today, the museum is housed in a former fortress and prison building known as el Panóptico. Built in the 19th century in a neoclassical style, the building’s distinctive architecture was inspired by Jeremy Bentham’s panopticon principles, and the thick stone walls and curved corridors still bear traces of its past.
The museum’s collection includes over 20,000 objects spanning archaeology, history, art and ethnography. Here, you can follow Colombia’s development from pre-Columbian civilizations through the colonial era and the struggle for independence to modern times. Highlights include mummies from the Andean region, ancient pottery finds, portraits of freedom fighters such as Simón Bolívar, and works by Colombian artists such as Débora Arango, Alejandro Obregón and Fernando Botero. In addition to its permanent exhibitions, the Museo Nacional offers a wide range of temporary exhibitions to explore.
The Jardín Botánico de Bogotá is the largest botanical garden in Colombia. It was founded in 1955 and named in honor of the Spanish botanist José Celestino Mutis, who led the famous botanical expedition to New Granada in the late 18th century. Located in western Bogotá, close to Parque Simón Bolívar, it covers an area of about 20 hectares and serves as a research, conservation and education center for Colombia’s rich plant biodiversity. The botanical garden is particularly focused on the flora of the Andes and the highland ecosystem that Bogotá itself is located in, known as páramo.
The garden is divided into thematic areas, each representing different Colombian ecosystems, including rainforest, dry forest, desert vegetation and páramo. Visitors can see thousands of species of trees, shrubs, orchids, cacti, medicinal plants, and more. One of the most impressive areas is the large tropical greenhouse, divided into climatic zones, which displays flora from the Amazon, Chocó, and Orinoquía regions. In addition, there is an extensive rosarium, beautiful water basins, and areas for bird watching and recreation.
Parque Simón Bolívar is the largest and most central urban park in Bogotá. It covers an area of approximately 400 hectares, making it a large park like Central Park in New York and Hyde Park in London. The park is located in the geographical center of Bogotá and is easily accessible from many parts of the city. The park was created in the 1960s as part of the city’s effort to develop green spaces for recreation and public events. The park is named after Simón Bolívar, the famous South American freedom fighter.
Today, the park serves as a recreational space with areas for sports, concerts, picnics, water activities, etc. The large outdoor concert area called Escenario al Aire Libre has a capacity of up to 100,000 people and is used for festivals, among other things. Parque Simón Bolívar also contains an artificial lake where you can rent boats, as well as large green areas with paths for running, cycling and walking. There are also several playgrounds, outdoor fitness equipment and botanical zones in the park.
The Museo de Arte Moderno de Bogotá or MAMBO is an art museum founded in 1955 and opened to the public in 1963 under the direction of art critic Marta Traba. The current museum building was designed by Colombian architect Rogelio Salmona and was completed in 1985. The building has several floors with exhibition halls, an auditorium, a cinema, and other facilities.
MAMBO houses one of Colombia’s most extensive collections of modern and contemporary art, with over 4,000 works. The collection includes works by prominent Colombian artists such as Beatriz González, Fernando Botero, and Ana Mercedes Hoyos, as well as international names such as Andy Warhol, Pablo Picasso, and Salvador Dalí. The museum also has a significant photography library with over 100,000 photographs and negatives, making it an important resource for art enthusiasts and researchers.
Maloka Museo Interactivo was founded in 1998 as Colombia’s first interactive museum dedicated to science and technology. The name Maloka comes from the traditional communal houses of the indigenous people of the Amazon, where knowledge and culture were shared. Located in the Ciudad Salitre neighborhood, the museum has exhibitions both above and below ground. Maloka is decorated with thematic exhibition spaces covering topics such as the universe, water, biodiversity, the human body, telecommunications and urban development.
The museum has developed over 300 interactive modules that engage visitors in hands-on learning. One of the main attractions is the domed theater with a capacity of 314 people, where 3D documentaries on scientific topics are shown. In addition, Maloka houses facilities such as a café and restaurant, so you can make a good trip out of a visit to the museum.
The Santuario Nacional Nuestra Señora del Carmen, located in the central La Candelaria neighborhood, is a church with roots in the 17th century. The original church was built in 1655 as part of a Carmelite monastery, but after several modifications and changes of ownership, it was decided to build a new church to accommodate the growing devotion to the Virgin Mary under the title of Nuestra Señora del Carmen. Construction of the current building began in 1926 and was completed in 1938. The facility was designed by Italian architect Giovanni Buscaglione, who integrated elements of Florentine Gothic, Byzantine and Arabic styles. He was inspired by his travels to Italy, Constantinople, Izmir and Alexandria.
The church is known for its unique architecture and colorful facade, combining red and white stripes, making it easily recognizable in the city’s streetscape. The interior of the church consists of three naves in the shape of a Latin cross and is richly decorated with mosaics, frescoes and stained glass. The mosaics were imported from Venetian workshops, and the stained glass depicting scenes from the lives of Don Bosco and Saint Francis de Sales was made in Germany. The 57-meter-high bell tower completes the impressive silhouette of the church. In 1993, the Santuario Nacional Nuestra Señora del Carmen, along with the adjacent Colegio Salesiano de León XIII, was declared a national monument of Colombia.
Torres del Parque, officially known as Residencias El Parque, is an iconic residential complex located in the La Macarena neighborhood of central Bogotá. Designed by Colombian architect Rogelio Salmona between 1965 and 1970, the complex consists of three curved towers built in red brick. These towers surround the Plaza de Toros de Santamaría and are inspired by both the circular shape of the bullring and the surrounding eastern mountains, creating a harmonious integration with the city’s landscape. The three towers are named C, A and B from north to south, and they vary in height. Tower A is the tallest with 37 floors and a height of 117 meters.
In total, the complex contains 294 apartments of various sizes. A notable feature of the design is the extensive use of public spaces, with around 75% of the area dedicated to gardens, paths and squares. This creates a smooth transition between the private residential area and the public space, promoting community and interaction among residents and visitors. Torres del Parque has been recognized as a masterpiece of 20th-century Latin American architecture. The complex received the National Architecture Award in 1976 and was declared a National Heritage Site in 1995.
The Capitolio Nacional is the seat of the Colombian Congress and the political institution is located on the south side of Plaza de Bolívar in Bogotá. Construction began on July 20, 1848, under President Tomás Cipriano de Mosquera, with Danish architect Thomas Reed as the main designer. The project was ambitious and intended to house both the Senate and the House of Representatives, as well as other government institutions. Construction took 78 years and involved seven different architects, including Pietro Cantini and Mariano Sanz de Santamaría, before it was completed in 1926.
The building is an excellent example of neoclassical architecture, and its most striking feature is the Elliptical Hall/Salón Elíptico, where the plenary sessions of the Congress are held. The facade is adorned with Ionic columns and simple lines, reflecting the republican spirit of the 19th century. Inside the building, there are also interior courtyards and sculptures, such as a statue of President Mosquera, created by the German sculptor Ferdinand von Miller.
There are several significant works of art in the Capitolio Nacional. In 1938, Ignacio Gómez Jaramillo painted two murals for the building, and in 1947, Santiago Martínez Delgado created an impressive fresco in the Salón Elíptico, depicting Simón Bolívar and Francisco de Paula Santander during the Congress of Cúcuta. This work is considered one of the most important frescoes in Colombia and is a central element of the building’s artistic heritage. In its beautiful setting, the Capitolio Nacional continues to serve as the central seat of Colombia’s legislative branch. The building is open to the public through guided tours, where visitors can explore its architecture and history.
Casa de Nariño or Palacio de Nariño is the official residence and workplace of the President of Colombia. The house was built on the site of the birthplace of Antonio Nariño, a prominent figure in the Colombian independence movement. In 1885, President Rafael Núñez ordered the purchase of the property to establish an official presidential residence. The current building was designed by architects Gastón Lelarge and Julián Lombana and was inaugurated on July 20, 1908. Since then, it has served as both the residence and workplace of the country’s presidents.
The building is an example of neoclassical architecture, characterized by its symmetry and use of classical elements. It has undergone several renovations and expansions, including a significant remodeling in 1979, which added modern facilities. Inside, the palace houses a number of historical objects and works of art that reflect Colombia’s cultural heritage. In addition, there are a number of official salons and meeting rooms used for state events and receptions. The palace can be visited on guided tours that provide insight into its history and function. These tours usually need to be booked in advance.
Founded in 1867, the Universidad Nacional de Colombia is the largest and most prestigious public higher education institution in the country. The main campus in Bogotá is known as Ciudad Universitaria and was inaugurated on August 5, 1938, under President Alfonso López Pumarejo as part of his reform program La Revolución en Marcha. The architect behind the campus was the German-Colombian Leopoldo Rother. The campus is one of the first examples of modern urban planning in Colombia and covers a large area. Among the many university buildings, some have been declared national monuments, reflecting the architectural and historical importance of the campus.
The Sede Bogotá offers undergraduate programs and several hundred postgraduate programs, and attracts thousands of students from all over the country. It is one of the most sought-after institutions in Colombia. In addition to academics, the Universidad Nacional offers a number of cultural and scientific facilities. These include the Observatorio Astronómico Nacional, the Casa Museo Jorge Eliécer Gaitán, the Claustro de San Agustín, the Museo Paleontológico de Villa de Leyva, and the Estación de Biología Tropical Roberto Franco in Villavicencio. These institutions support the university’s mission to promote research and preserve Colombia’s cultural and scientific heritage.
Similar to Bogota Travel Guide
