Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino

Lonely Planet review

This is the hacienda where Simón Bolívar spent his last days and died. The hacienda was established at the beginning of the 17th century and was engaged in cultivating and processing sugarcane. It had its own trapiche (sugarcane mill) and a destilería (distillery).

During the Bolívar era, the hacienda was owned by a Spaniard, Joaquín de Mier, a devoted supporter of Colombia's independence cause. He invited Bolívar to stay and take a rest at his home before his intended journey to Europe.

Several monuments have been built on the grounds in remembrance of Bolívar, the most imposing of which is a massive central structure called the Altar de la Patria. Just to the right of this is the Museo Bolivariano, which features works of art donated by Latin American artists, particularly those from Colombia, Venezuela, Panama, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia, the countries liberated by Bolívar.

The quinta is in the far eastern suburb of Mamatoco, about 4km from the city center. To get there, take the Mamatoco bus from the waterfront (Carrera 1C); it's a 20-minute trip to the hacienda. The quinta may be closed on Monday and/or Tuesday in the off season - call before setting off.