Catedral Primada de Colombia (Primate Cathedral of Colombia), Bogota
On August 6, 1538, the missionary Friar Domingo de las Casas offered the first mass to the conquistadors. Services were held in a humble chapel of mud and straw. The place of worship was called Our Lady of Hope. A banner used on that day can be seen in the place where the first stones were laid for the construction of the Primate Cathedral of Colombia in Bolivar Square in Bogota.
The Primate Cathedral is made up of a Classical basilica plan in the form of a Latin Cross that occupies an area of 5,300 square meters. It has five naves; a central nave, two side naves, and two others for the chapels. There are 12 chapels, six on each side nave. The lantern and dome are over the transept. The dome is supported by four indigo-blue pendentives decorated with tongues of flame.
The front of the Cathedral has a lower part of eight Corinthian pilasters high as the architrave, frieze, and cornice. There are eight Ionic pilasters in the second part. There are three doors with sculptures. Saint Peter is on one door, Saint Paul on the other, and the Immaculate Conception with two angels is on the center door.
The facade is finished with a marble slab on the lintel of the main entrance, bearing the name of Friar Domingo de Petres, Capuchin. There are two towers, each 171 feet high. The towers are made in three sections with four sides. There are bells in the middle sections. The north tower has a clock.
The Primate Cathedral is made up of a Classical basilica plan in the form of a Latin Cross that occupies an area of 5,300 square meters. It has five naves; a central nave, two side naves, and two others for the chapels. There are 12 chapels, six on each side nave. The lantern and dome are over the transept. The dome is supported by four indigo-blue pendentives decorated with tongues of flame.
The front of the Cathedral has a lower part of eight Corinthian pilasters high as the architrave, frieze, and cornice. There are eight Ionic pilasters in the second part. There are three doors with sculptures. Saint Peter is on one door, Saint Paul on the other, and the Immaculate Conception with two angels is on the center door.
The facade is finished with a marble slab on the lintel of the main entrance, bearing the name of Friar Domingo de Petres, Capuchin. There are two towers, each 171 feet high. The towers are made in three sections with four sides. There are bells in the middle sections. The north tower has a clock.
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Catedral Primada de Colombia (Primate Cathedral of Colombia) on Map
Sight Name: Catedral Primada de Colombia (Primate Cathedral of Colombia)
Sight Location: Bogota, Colombia (See walking tours in Bogota)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Bogota, Colombia (See walking tours in Bogota)
Sight Type: Religious
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.
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
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
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
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....
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...