Sights in Cali
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A
Zoológico de Cali
The Zoológico de Cali has a good collection of species indigenous to Colombia, including chiguiros (capybaras), oso hormigueros (anteaters), condors, monkeys and a mariposario (butterfly enclosure). It’s 2km southwest of the center in Barrio Santa Teresita and is most easily accessed by taxi.
reviewed
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B
Museo Arqueológico la Merced
The Museo Arqueológico la Merced is housed in the former La Merced convent, Cali’s oldest building. Its five rooms contain a small collection of pre-Columbian pottery left behind by the major cultures from central and southern Colombia.
reviewed
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C
Museo del Oro
The Museo del Oro, one block away from La Merced, has a small but fine collection of gold and pottery of the Calima culture.
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D
Iglesia de la Merced
The Iglesia de la Merced is in the former La Merced convent. Begun around 1545, it remains the city’s oldest church. It’s a lovely whitewashed building in the Spanish colonial style, with a long, narrow nave, and humble wood and stucco construction. Inside, a heavily gilded baroque high altar is topped by the Virgen de las Mercedes, the patron saint of the city.
reviewed
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Hacienda El Paraíso
Escape the city for a day and head to the old sugarcane plantations to see how the Colombian elite lived in the 19th century. Hacienda El Paraíso, a lovingly restored manor house, has been converted into a museum. It provides an insight into Cauca life, complete with literary connections - it's the setting of Jorge Isaacs' romantic period novel María.
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E
Iglesia de San Antonio
The small 1757 Iglesia de San Antonio is set atop a hill, the Colina de San Antonio, west of the old center. It shelters valuable tallas quiteñas, 17th-century carved-wood statues of the saints, representing the style known as the Quito School. The church also affords a good view of the city; it's just a 10-minute walk west of the Torre Mudéjar.
reviewed
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F
Iglesia de la Ermita
Overlooking the Río Cali, the neo-Gothic Iglesia de la Ermita, constructed between 1930 and 1948, houses the 18th-century painting of El Señor de la Caña (Lord of the Sugarcane); many miracles are attributed to the image.
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G
Museo de Arte Moderno La Tertulia
The Museo de Arte Moderno La Tertulia presents temporary exhibitions of contemporary painting, sculpture and photography. It’s a 15-minute walk from the city center along the Río Cali.
reviewed
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H
Iglesia de San Francisco
Iglesia de San Francisco is a neoclassical construction dating from the 18th century. Next to the church are the Convento de San Francisco and the Capilla de la Inmaculada.
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I
ADN
If you’re into contemporary art, try Cali’s leading contemporary art gallery, ADN. There’s a small cafe and bookstore on-site.
reviewed
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J
Torre Mudéjar
Adjacent to the Capilla de la Inmaculada is this unsual brick bell tower, one of the best examples of Mudejar art in Colombia.
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