Showing 1-11 of 11 results
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Capitolio Nacional
On the southern side of the Plaza de Bolívar stands a monumental stone building in neoclassical style, the Capitolio Nacional, which is the seat of Congress. It was begun in 1847, but due to numerous political uprisings was not completed until 1926. The facade facing the square was designed by English architect Thomas Reed.
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Catedral Primada
The Catedral Primada is a monumental building standing on the site where the first mass was celebrated after Bogotá's foundation in 1538. The original church was just a small thatched chapel - a more substantial building was erected in 1556-65, but collapsed soon after due to poor foundations. In 1572, the third church went up, but the earthquake of 1785 turned it into ruins. Only in 1807 was the massive building - that stands to this day - initiated and it was successfully completed by 1823.
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Iglesia de La Concepción
The Iglesia de La Concepción, the second-oldest existing church in Bogotá (after San Francisco), is noted for its extraordinary Mudejar vault, brought from Seville and installed in the presbytery.
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Iglesia de San Diego
A lovely whitewashed church built as part of a Franciscan monastery at the beginning of the 17th century. At that time it was well outside the town; today it is surrounded by the forest of high-rise buildings that form the Centro Internacional.
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Iglesia De San Francisco
Completed in 1556, the Church of San Francisco is Bogotá's oldest-surviving church. It is rather sober from the outside, but the interior is elaborately decorated. Of particular interest is the extraordinary 17th-century gilded main altarpiece, which is Bogotá's largest and most elaborate piece of art of its kind. Also of note are the Mudejar ornamentation of the ceiling under the organ loft, and a collection of side altarpieces. The church is always full with worshippers.
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Iglesia De San Ignacio
The Church of San Ignacio was begun by the Jesuits in 1610 and, although opened for worship in 1635, it was not completed until their expulsion in 1767. It was the largest church during the colony and perhaps the most magnificent. Today it's one of the most richly decorated churches and houses a wealth of artwork, including numerous colonial paintings.
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Iglesia del Carmen
The most recently built church in Bogotá's colonial quarter, the Iglesia del Carmen was inaugurated in 1938. It's an impressive piece of architecture, resembling a colorful wedding cake. The interior boasts fine stained-glass windows and a mosaic of the Virgen del Carmen over the high altar.
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Iglesia La Tercera
The Iglesia La Tercera is remarkable for its fine stone facade and, inside, for altarpieces carved in walnut and cedar.
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Mirador Torre Colpatria
For another impressive bird's-eye view of the city, although quite a different one, go to the top of the Colpatria Tower. The 360-degree lookout atop this 48-story, 162m-high skyscraper (completed in 1979) provides excellent views in all directions.
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Plaza de Bolívar
The usual place to start discovering Bogotá is Plaza de Bolívar, the heart of the original town. In the middle of the square is a bronze statue of Simón Bolívar (cast in 1846), the work of an Italian artist, Pietro Tenerani. This was the first public monument erected in the city.
In the center, beside the 1846 bronze statue of Bolívar (of course), are flocks of pigeons that dive-bomb anyone within 50m of the square - a hat is a good idea.
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Teatro Colón
Have a look at the Italian-style Teatro Colón, begun in 1885 and opened in 1892 for the fourth centenary of the discovery of America. It was designed by Italian architect Pietro Cantini and is lavishly decorated inside. It is only open for performances. Concerts, opera and ballet are performed here.
Showing 1-11 of 11 results
