Sights in Villa De Leyva
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Estación Astronómica Muisca (El Infiernito)
The Estación Astronómica Muisca (El Infiernito) dates from the early centuries AD and, like a sort of Stonehenge, was used by the Indians to determine the seasons. The site contains 30-odd cylindrical stone monoliths sunk vertically into the ground about 1m from each other in two parallel lines 9m apart.
By measuring the length of shadows cast by the stones, the Indians were able to identify the planting seasons. The complete lack of shadow (corresponding to the sun's zenith), which occurred for a short instant twice a year, on a day in March and September, is thought to have been the time for great festivities.
The observatory was also a ritual site, a fact that got in …
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Convento del Santo Ecce Homo
The Convento del Santo Ecce Homo, founded by the Dominican fathers in 1620, is a large stone-and-adobe construction with a lovely courtyard. The floors are paved with stones quarried in the region, so they contain ammonites and fossils, including petrified corn and flowers. There are also fossils in the base of a statue in the chapel.
The chapel boasts a magnificent gilded main retable with a small image of Ecce Homo and the original wooden ceiling. Look out for the drawing of Christ in west cloister - from different angles it appears that the eyes will open and close.
Part of the convent has been turned into an ethnography museum, with displays of agricultural tools and t…
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Plaza Mayor
You are likely to start your tour of the town from the Plaza Mayor. Measuring nearly 120m by 120m, this is reputedly the largest main square in the country. The vast expanse is interrupted by only a small Mudejar fountain in its middle, which provided water to the village inhabitants for almost four centuries.
Unlike all other Colombian cities and towns where the main squares have been named after historic heroes, most often Bolívar, the one in Villa de Leyva is traditionally and firmly called Plaza Mayor.
As you stroll about, pop into the Casa de Juan de Castellanos (Carrera 9, No 13-15), Casona La Guaca (Carrera 9, No 13-57) and Casa Quintero (cnr Carrera 9 & Calle 12),…
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Villa de Leyva
Villa de Leyva is a leisurely place made for wandering around charming stone streets, listening to the sound of church bells and enjoying the lazy rhythm of days gone by. It's still very traditional, and locals greet strangers in the street with 'Buenos días' or 'Buenas tardes'. Be sure to return the greeting. Small as it is, the town has half-a-dozen museums, most of which are in old colonial buildings. For a marvelous bird's-eye view of the town, walk SE of the market and climb the Hill.
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Casa Museo de Antonio Nariño
Casa Museo de Antonio Nariño is the house where Antonio Nariño, the forefather of Colombia’s independence lived until his death in 1823. Nariño was a fierce defender of human rights and is also revered for translating Thomas Paine’s Rights of Man into Spanish. The house has been converted into a museum containing colonial objects and memorabilia related to this great man.
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Casa del Primer Congreso
On October 4, 1812, legislators met here to install the First Congress of the short-lived United Provinces of New Granada and elect its first president, Camilo Torres Tenorio. The 2nd floor of the Casa del Primer Congreso houses a small museum that contains the congressional desk, documents and other artifacts.
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Casa Museo de Antonio Ricaurte
Casa Museo de Antonio Ricaurte is the house where Antonio Ricaurte was born in 1786. He is remembered for his act of self-sacrifice in the battle of San Mateo (near Caracas in Venezuela) in 1814. It’s now a museum, which displays period furniture and weapons as well as some related documents.
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El Fósil
This impressive 120-million-year-old baby kronosaurus fossil is the world’s most complete specimen of this prehistoric marine reptile. The fossil is 7m long; the creature was about 12m in size but the tail did not survive. The fossil remains in place exactly where it was found in 1977.
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Museo del Carmen
One of the best museums of religious art in the country, Museo del Carmen is housed in the convent of the same name. It contains valuable paintings, carvings, altarpieces and other religious objects dating from the 16th century onward. It's largely repetitive if you've already been to El Fósil
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Casa Museo de Luis Alberto Acuña
Featuring works by the painter, sculptor, writer and historian who was inspired by influences ranging from Muisca mythology to contemporary art, Casa Museo de Luis Alberto Acuña has been set up in the mansion where Acuña (1904–93) lived for the last 15 years of his life.
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Iglesia de San Agustín
Villa de Leyva has four churches, all of which date back to the town's early years. The Iglesia de San Agustín no longer serves religious purposes and is not open to the public (though you might be able to cajole the door guard to let you poke your head inside).
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Iglesia de San Francisco
Villa de Leyva has four churches, all of which date back to the town's early years. The Iglesia de San Francisco no longer serves religious purposes and is not open to the public (though you might be able to cajole the door guard to let you poke your head inside).
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Museo del Carmen
One of the best museums of religious art in the country, Museo del Carmen is housed in the convent of the same name. It contains valuable paintings, carvings, altarpieces and other religious objects dating from the 16th century onward.
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Fábrica de Licores
This huge colonial factory once supplied the entire region with its boozy needs. Today, the Fábrica de Licores is a museum with rotating exhibits by artists such as renowned Colombian painter Duván López.
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Iglesia del Carmen
Villa de Leyva has four churches, all of which date back to the town's early years. The Iglesia del Carmen has interesting paintings in the chancel and the wooden structure supporting the roof.
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Museo Paleontológico
About 1km northeast of town, Museo Paleontológico has a collection of locally found fossils dating from the period when the area was a sea bed (100 to 150 million years ago).
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Iglesia Parroquial
This parish church facing the main square, was built in 1608 and has hardly changed since that time. It boasts a marvelous baroque main retable.
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Iglesia del Carmen
This church is currently in religious service and has interesting paintings in the chancel and the wooden structure supporting the roof.
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Casa de Juan de Castellanos
Pop into the Casa de Juan de Castellanos a meticulously restored colonial mansion just off the plaza.
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Casona La Guaca
As you stroll about, pop into the Casona La Guaca, a meticulously restored colonial mansion just off the plaza.
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Casa Quintero
Casa Quintero is a meticulously restored colonial mansion just off the plaza.
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