Village sights in Colombia
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Mompós
Minding its own business in the northern Colombian interior, Mompós is another colonial time warp. The atmosphere around here is certainly unique in Colombia - it feels more like the bayous of Mississippi - and is well worth experiencing. Mompós also has a tradition in literature and was the setting for Chronicle of a Death Foretold by Gabriel García Márquez.
Founded in 1537 on the eastern branch of the Río Magdalena, Mompós became an important port through which all merchandise from Cartagena passed to the interior of the colony. Toward the end of the 19th century, shipping was diverted to the other branch of the Magdalena, ending the town's prosperity and leaving…
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Popayán
Founded in 1537, this is one of Colombia's most beautiful old towns. Beautifully whitewashed, Popayán doesn't need to be tarted up for the tourist hordes - it's a living, breathing historic site, with bustling streets and a sizable student population.
Once settled, the town quickly became an important political, cultural and religious center. Several imposing churches and monasteries were built there in the 17th and 18th centuries, such as the fine Iglesia de San Francisco.
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El Rodadero
The quiet resort town of El Rodadero offers sun, sand, sea and little else. Popular with Colombian tourists, the town has a wide beach lined with high-rise apartment blocks and upmarket hotels, plus a collection of restaurants, bars and discos. It gets very crowded during Colombian holiday periods, when prices can skyrocket. El Rodadero is some 5km south of Santa Marta's center and is linked by frequent bus service.
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Santa Fe de Antioquia
Another Colombian town that seems to have stopped dead some time in the 18th century, Santa Fe de Antioquia is in the heart of paisa (Antioquian) country. Cobbled streets, colonial churches and lavish carved doorways bring this 500-year-old whitewashed town to life. Pick up a pack of pulpa de tamarindo, the beloved local sour-sweet candy made with tamarind.
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Villa de Leyva
Founded in 1572, Villa de Leyva was declared a national monument in 1954. A colonial town par excellence, it has been preserved in its entirety - the impressive Plaza Mayor is lined with whitewashed colonial houses and churches. Villa enjoys a dry, mild climate and is within easy reach of the capital, making it a popular weekend getaway for Bogotános.
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La Loma
This small town, in the inner part of the island, is one of the most traditional places here. It is noted for its Baptist church, the first established on the island (in 1847). In 1896, the church was largely rebuilt in pine brought from Alabama.
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