Villa de Leyva

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Villa de Leyva, Colombia - September 14, 2014: It is Sunday morning in Villa de Leyva and Calle or Street 14 is almost lifeless. The shops and restaurants will open; but, only towards noon. Founded in 1572 and located at just over 7000 feet above sea level on the Andes Mountains, Villa de Leyva was declared a National Monument in 1954 to protect it's colonial architecture and heritage. It is located in the Department of Boyaca, in the South American country of Colombia. In the background are the always present Andes Mountains. Photo shot in the morning sunlight; horizontal format. Copy space.

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Overview

Declared a national monument in 1954, Villa de Leyva's colonial architecture has been preserved in its entirety, with cobblestone roads and whitewashed buildings. The physical beauty of the surrounding countryside and mild, dry climate have long attracted outsiders. The town was founded in 1572 by colonizer Hernán Suárez de Villalobos, and early on it was mainly a retreat for military officers, clergy and the nobility.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

Plaza Mayor

Villa de Leyva

At 120m by 120m, Plaza Mayor is one of the largest town squares in the Americas. It's paved with massive cobblestones and surrounded by magnificent…

Casa Museo de Luis Alberto Acuña

Villa de Leyva

Villa de Leyva's best museum features works by one of Colombia's most influential painters, sculptors, writers and historians, Luis Alberto Acuña (1904–93…

Casa Museo de Antonio Nariño

Villa de Leyva

Antonio Nariño was known as the forefather of Colombia's independence and Casa Museo de Antonio Nariño is the house where he spent the last two months of…

Museo del Carmen

Villa de Leyva

Apparently one of best museums of religious art in the country, the Museo del Carmen is housed in the convent of the same name. The fairly average…

Casa Museo de Antonio Ricaurte

Villa de Leyva

Antonio Ricaurte fought under Bolívar and is remembered for his act of self-sacrifice in the battle of San Mateo (near Caracas in Venezuela) in 1814…

Casa del Primer Congreso de las Provincias Unidas

Villa de Leyva

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,…

Casona La Guaca

Villa de Leyva

This colonial mansion has an intimate courtyard with an abundance of plants and trees surrounding a fountain. The front section houses shops, and there's…