The youngest church in Popayán's center, this neoclassical cathedral was built between 1859 and 1906 on the site of a previous cathedral, which had been completely destroyed by an earthquake.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Popayán attractions

1. Universidad del Cauca

0.14 MILES

The central seat of this public university is in a magnificent old colonial mansion that non-students may only admire from the outside.

2. Museo Arquidiocesano de Arte Religioso

0.16 MILES

You don't have to be an expert on religious art to be impressed by this collection of paintings, statues, altar pieces, silverware and liturgical vessels,…

3. Casa Museo Negret & MIAMP

0.17 MILES

This 18th-century house is the home of world-renowned Colombian artist Edgar Negret, whose vast abstract iron sculptures dot plazas around the country…

4. Museo Guillermo Valencia

0.18 MILES

This late 18th-century building is full of period furniture, paintings, old photos and documents that once belonged to the Popayán-born poet who lived…

5. Casa Museo Mosquera

0.18 MILES

This interesting museum is housed in an 18th-century mansion that was once home to General Tomás Cipriano de Mosquera, who was Colombia's president on…

6. Iglesia de San Francisco

0.22 MILES

Dating back to the late 18th century, Popayán's largest colonial church is also its most beautiful. Inside are a fine high altar and a collection of seven…

7. Puente del Humilladero

0.26 MILES

Popayán's emblematic landmark, this 240m-long, 11-arch brick bridge was constructed in the mid-19th century to improve access to the center from the poor…

8. Iglesia La Ermita

0.28 MILES

Constructed in 1546, Popayán's oldest church is well worth seeing for its fine main retable and the fragments of old frescoes, which were only discovered…