Things to do in Villa De Leyva
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Zarina
In-the-know locals vote this Lebanese joint the best eatery in town. There’s no shawarma, but you can enjoy a genuine felafel with tahini.
reviewed
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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 …
reviewed
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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…
reviewed
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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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Handicraft Shops
Villa de Leyva has a number of handicraft shops noted for fine basketry and good-quality woven items such as sweaters and ruanas (ponchos). There are some artisan shops on Plaza Mayor and more in the side streets, particularly on Carrera 9. A number of weavers have settled in town; their work is of excellent quality and their prices are reasonable. Most craft shops open only on weekends for the tourist rush.
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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.
reviewed
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Ostrich Farm
About 5km southwest of Villa de Leyva, in the direction of El Fósil, is this slightly incongruous Ostrich Farm, home to more than 120 ostriches and a handful of llamas, horses and sheep. There’s a small shop that sells ostrich leather shoes and enormous ostrich eggs. There’s also a restaurant where you can sample ostrich meat, but it’s only open on weekends.
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Restaurante Savia
The delightful Savia (previously Xirrus and Don D’Bill) specializes in inventive vegetarian, vegan and organic fare. Carnivores will love the fresh seafood and poultry dishes such as chicken in mango sauce. A plaque outside commemorates the last concert performed by former Elvis Presley drummer Bill Lynn before he died in Villa de Leyva in 2006.
reviewed
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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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Taxi Trips
Taxis in front of the bus terminal offer return taxi trips around the sights surrounding Villa de Leyva. The standard routes include El Fósil, El Infiernito and Convento del Santo Ecce Homo, and Ráquira and La Candelaria. Prices are per taxi for up to four people and include stops at the sights.
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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).
reviewed
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Antique
The place to impress your sweetie, this romantic rooftop restaurant is bathed in candlelight and Spanish love songs. The daring and delicious Nuevo-Colombian menu features amazing dishes such as trout with mango, coconut and prawn sauce, plus an extensive wine list.
reviewed
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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).
reviewed
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Colombian Highlands
Run by biologist and Renacer Guesthouse owner Oscar Gilède, this agency has a variety of off-beat tours including ecotours, nocturnal hikes, bird-watching, rappelling/abseiling, canyoning, caving and hiking and rents bikes and horses. English is spoken.
reviewed
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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.
reviewed
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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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Don D'Bill
In most places, Bill Lynn is a trivia question. In Villa de Leyva he is a legend. The elderly drummer, who backed up Elvis Presley for four years, now plays almost nightly in this intimate bar.
reviewed
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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.
reviewed
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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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Al Horno
This colorful and atmospheric bistro has a menu with 12 different types of pizza, plus spaghetti, fettuccine, burgers, sandwiches, crepes and desserts.
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