Bol铆var Square, Bogota (must see)
In 1537, Gonzalo Jimenez de Quesada, a Spanish explorer and conqueror in northern South America, defeated Tisquesusa, the fourth and last independent ruler of the southern Muisca Federation. In 1538 Gonzalo Jimenez founded the City of Bogota, the capital of the New Kingdom of Granada, currently known as Colombia. A year after the foundation of the Colombian capital, the Spaniards built their first cathedral on a corner of the main square of Bogota, known today as Bolivar Square.
Bolivar Square was the civic center of Old Bogota. Circuses, cultural and religious events, and bullfights were popular manifestations here. The Royal Appellate Court, a Jesuit school, the Holy Chapel, and the Viceroyalty Palace were built during the colonial period. The Primary Cathedral was built in 1823 by friar architect Domingo de Petres.
The Bolivar Square hosts an imposing statue of Simon Bolivar, a Venezuelan soldier, and statesman who played a central role in the South American independence movement. The statue was sculpted by Italian artist Pietro Tenerani in 1846 and was the first public monument in the city. The square is bordered by Street 10 in the south and Steet 11 in the north. The Avenue 7 and 8 are on the east and west sides respectively.
Nowadays, the square is surrounded by historical buildings such as the Palace of Justice with the Supreme Court; the National Capitol, the seat of Congress; the Li茅vano Palace, the seat of the mayor; the Vase House also known as the Museum of the 20th July, site of the Call for Independence in 1810.
Bol铆var Square is the main tourist attraction in Bogot谩 and the site for various manifestations and protests. Bol铆var Square is declared a national monument in October 1995.
Bolivar Square was the civic center of Old Bogota. Circuses, cultural and religious events, and bullfights were popular manifestations here. The Royal Appellate Court, a Jesuit school, the Holy Chapel, and the Viceroyalty Palace were built during the colonial period. The Primary Cathedral was built in 1823 by friar architect Domingo de Petres.
The Bolivar Square hosts an imposing statue of Simon Bolivar, a Venezuelan soldier, and statesman who played a central role in the South American independence movement. The statue was sculpted by Italian artist Pietro Tenerani in 1846 and was the first public monument in the city. The square is bordered by Street 10 in the south and Steet 11 in the north. The Avenue 7 and 8 are on the east and west sides respectively.
Nowadays, the square is surrounded by historical buildings such as the Palace of Justice with the Supreme Court; the National Capitol, the seat of Congress; the Li茅vano Palace, the seat of the mayor; the Vase House also known as the Museum of the 20th July, site of the Call for Independence in 1810.
Bol铆var Square is the main tourist attraction in Bogot谩 and the site for various manifestations and protests. Bol铆var Square is declared a national monument in October 1995.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Bogota. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Bol铆var Square on Map
Sight Name: Bol铆var Square
Sight Location: Bogota, Colombia (See walking tours in Bogota)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Bogota, Colombia (See walking tours in Bogota)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Bogota, Colombia
Create Your Own Walk in Bogota
Creating your own self-guided walk in Bogota is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Architectural Jewels
Bogota, Colombia, is quite a city for an architectural experience. Attentive to the local historical heritage, the city has managed to preserve in full splendor most of its colonial buildings.
One such gem is the Palace (or House) of Nari帽o, the official residence of the President of Colombia. Its grandeur and historical significance make it a prominent landmark.
Not far away from it... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles
One such gem is the Palace (or House) of Nari帽o, the official residence of the President of Colombia. Its grandeur and historical significance make it a prominent landmark.
Not far away from it... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles
Bogota Old Town Walking Tour
In 1538, the indigenous Muisca of the Colombian Altiplano had the advantage in numbers over the force of conquistador Gonzalo Jimenez de Quesada. Arriving in the Muisca Federation, the Spanish had only 162 exhausted men. However, the guecha warriors of Chief Tisquesusa were no match. The Federation fell in bloody battle.
In the area now known as Quevedo's Fountain Square, Quesada set up 12... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles
In the area now known as Quevedo's Fountain Square, Quesada set up 12... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles
Bogota Shopping Tour
Colombia is known for its gold and emeralds, recognizable national clothing, pottery, accessories, and other crafts. The country's capital Bogota is so rich in authentic shopping that it's almost mind-boggling to decide what to buy first and most importantly, where to buy it at the best possible price!
Start your quest at Pasaje Rivas Market, Bogota's oldest marketplace, offering... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Start your quest at Pasaje Rivas Market, Bogota's oldest marketplace, offering... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
18 Uniquely Columbian Things to Buy in Bogota
To those who understand Russian, the word "Bogota" sounds very similar to the one translating as "rich". And, indeed, the city does live up to this name connotation in terms of peculiar things worth exploring in addition to coca, coffee and emeralds. Here's the longer list...
Enjoying Onces in Bogota
Elevenses, on the surface, seem to be a particularly British tradition, a break for something light and sweet between breakfast and lunch, a time to gossip, a time to catch up, a time just to be. Lo and behold, Colombia somewhere along the line adapted this tradition in a particularly Latin fashion....