Destinations / The best capital cities in the world / Bogota

 

  Bogota or Santa Fe de Bogota, as its official name, is a city of contrast, where you can find modern shopping malls and open-air markets, luxury apartments and makeshifts shanties, futuristic glass towers and beautiful colonial churches. It is a city of interesting buildings that are situated next to colonial churches, a city filled with universities, theatres and shantytowns. 

Bogota is the perfect  city for lovers, with romantic landscapes, ideal for escapes and romantic refuges. It is a city of influences, Spanish, English and Indian; a city of wild traffic and calm oases which reflect a very busy and noisy place. Many people characterize Bogota as: grey by day, colourful by night, surrounded by green mountains which protect the large valley, sunshines that announce rain, professional beggars, pathetic poverty close to modern shopping areas, a real synthesis of clases, styles and regions. 

The city of Santa Fe de Bogota was founded in 1538. Its name was shortened to Bogota due to the Spain  independance in 1824, being called this way until recently .Its original name  was reinstated as Santa Fe de Bogota. The main industries of the region were breweries, woolen textiles and candlemaking. The residents of the city were seen by the rest of the country as taciturn, cold and aloof. Despite these thoughts the city  developed to appear today as an industrial and commercial center.

 Bogota is the capital of Colombia and  it is also  Colombia’s largest economic center. Most of the companies from Colombia have their headquarters in Bogota, as it is the ideal home for the most foreign companies that are doing business in Colombia. The capital of Colombia rises up at an altitude of about 2547 meters. A city with over six million residents, Bogota is today an impressive metropola, with many places which wait to be discovered, and those who come here for the first time, can start their vacation with a visit to La Candelabria, situated in the very heart of the city.

 

 

 

  A very special place for meetings and promenade is Plaza de Bolivar, the main square of the city, where  the headquarters of the federal and local government can be found. Tourists can admire the biggest cathedral in Colombia, and the biggest  in South America, and namely,  the Primary Cathedral of Bogota, which was founded between 1807 and 1823. When the Spanish founded Bogota they  constructed 12 huts and hay-churches that later became the main cathedral of the city, so you could say the Cathedral is as old as the city of Bogota. The Roman-Catholic church of Bogota is a fine example of colonial religious architecture and includes a large number of paintings by Gregorio Vasquez de Arce y Ceballos, the most significant painter in colonial Colombia. At the plaza de Bolivar the tourists can also see the Golden Museum, Museo del Oro, which can be the most interesting in Bogota. The Bolivar Square is the historic center of Bogota, previously called the Calle Real, where we can find the Republic Congress, the Justice Palace. In the moddle of the veritable square we can see a bronze statue of Simon Bolivar General, which was donated by Jose Ignacio Paris, designed by Pietro Tenerani. Surrounding the square we can also see the Colegio Mayor San Bartolome, one of the oldest schools in Latin America, the National Capitol, Congreso de la Republica headquarter, the Lievano building with the Alcadia Mayor de Bogota,La Capilla del Sagrario, La Casa del Florero, El Palacio Arzobispla, and many other treasured landmarks.

 

 

  Visiting La Candelaria the tourists can find most of the museums and colonial churches, within a walking distance. A short stop to the central square can bring many landmarks that  are worth to be seen. Not far from  the Luis Angel Arango Library is a great part of a whole block devoted by the Banco de la Republica, to cultural scenarios. The library usually has a temporary exhibit, aside from its gorgeous concert hall that houses performances all the year-round, with national and international artists. Here you can find the Botero Collection, the Coin Museum, the Bank’s Art Museum.   The Gold Museum, nearby, is a must-see place,  which houses one of the most completed collections of pre-Columbian gold artifacts in the whole world. The Plaza de Bolivar is the Santa Clara Church, a very pretty and well-preserved colonial church, worth to be visited too. Other interesting museums in the area include the Modern Art Museum, the Military Museum, Museum of Dresses and Costumes, and the Bogota Museum in the Planetarium. If you  walk  along the  Candelaria you will notice small colonial streets and  wonderful colored houses in a neighborhood with shifting identity and bad reputation. Here are many universities, small and lovely restaurants, coffee shops, theaters, giant colonial houses and it is better for you to walk careful around. But actually do not hesitate to see  and discover its characteristic charm. The National Museum located in the downtown is the oldest museum in South America and displays unique exhibitions of different works of art and historical articles.

 

 

  Bogota Archaeology Museum  was housed by a 17th century colonial structure of Marquès de San Jorge, who seemed  to be the first Creole who received a noble title. The treasured houses were transformed into a museum in 1970 and display archaeological articles from ancient and pre-Columbian periods of time. The museum includes naïve ceramic art of the most clear and representative Columbian Indian cultures that had ruled the area before the Spanish conquistadors arrived. There are  pieces of ceramics from the Calima, Chimila, Muiscas, Sinu, Tolima and Tumaco. The museum also boasts  permanent exhibitions of archaeological, anthropological and scientists thematics, such as oil paintings that date back to the colonial times, different photographs depicting Indians and their current lifestyles, objects and items that are used every day, for example clothing, posts, tools, weapons for hunting.

 

 

  The Regional Costume Museum is located in the notable house  of Manuela Saenz, who was the girlfriend of Simon Bolivar, and a faithful comrade. The great museum was founded by the anthropologist Edith Jimènez de Munoz, who officially opened the museum in 1972. Since then he collected and preserved the national memory, with costumes and fashions that relate some characters of the national history, from traditional costumes and old colonial fashion, clothing of other Republicans. The Regional Costume Museum includes a vast collection of traditional costumes and garments, coming from all the Colombian regions, that cover various historical periods. The collections are highlighted by the beauty of a complete sample of Colombian fabrics: wool, cloth, jute and rubber.

 

 

  The veritable museum is located in a historic colonial house, erected in 1724. Officially opened in 2000, the museum features a large collection of works offered by  the artist Fernando Botero, who intended to spread the art and the culture in his native country. The collection shows 87 works which belong to the artist own art collection and 123 works  belong to the artist himself. Several rooms of the museum are devoted to European artists of the 19th and early 20th century. The rooms cover Impressionism, Surrealism, Expressionism, German new objectivity and works close to Cubism. Another part of the museum is dedicated to the American avant-garde art that dates back to the middle of the 20th century. The personal works of Botero feature many paintings, drawings, pastels, sculptures, made in his last twenty years of life. It is a pleasure to visit such a beautiful museum full of exhibits that are unique and precious for this nation, because the collection relates many historical events, and the lifestyle of Botero.

 

 

  Monserrate is one of Bogota’s guardian hills, which includes a pilgrimage sanctuary at the top. It is located about 3,152 meters above  the sea level and represents the main skyline symbol of Bogota, housing the church dedicated to “El Senor Caido”. The incredible Monserrate can be easily accessed by a cable car or by a funicular, representing a mountain train, that offers spectacular panoramas.  A majestic vista of the city opens from the top of Monserrate  .  A luxury restaurant and several handicraft shops are located there. It is visited daily by locals and tourists who come here to take a close up look over the fabulous church, which is visible from many parts of the city, including the sanctuary of the Fallen World, to pray the way of the Cross. There the visitors can also buy various crafts or religious items, to eat at one of its two pretty restaurants, or just enjoy the stunning view and the amazing landscapes of the city. There you will live a great experience, surrounded by magnificent vistas, remarkable attractions, which can only leave nice impressions on you.

 

 

  If you need some relaxation combined with a little exercise after a busy night in Bogota, then we suggest the neighborhood of Usaquen. It boasts cobblestone streets, a treasured church, a pleasant square and a flea market, representing a refreshing change from the monolithic malls of Bogota. Once the neighborhood was a separate town, added to the metropola in 1950, nowadays being a small part of the capital, with a little town-feel.  You can go to Hacienta Santa Barbara Mall, which has a colonial façade and some fancy shops. The structure belongs to the colonial era, and a part of the house was declared a national monument. North of the mall the tourists will find a road that will offer them a taste of goods, with vendors, selling jewelry, crystals and handicrafts. To the eastern side of Usaquen is located the church of Santa Maria de Usaquen, where the visitors can admire pieces of art made by the Colombian artist Gregorio Vasquez. Definitely you have to get to see the human statues of Neptune and Juan Valdez, and there are vendors and their beautiful wares. Another attraction in Usaquen is Cinema Paraiso, a cinema which shows independent and mainstream films, from South America and from all around the world as well. Those who choose to watch the movies can get the drinks in, before the curtain rises.  You can enjoy a lovely time here, with unforgettable memories for your entire life.

 

 

  Zona Rosa is the main part of Bogota’s nightlife. It is a huge neighborhood located in the posh north part of the town. The best clubs, restaurants, bars and shops, offering a wide range of entertainment, including the Zona T in the very heart of it are housed in this bustling area. There are many nightspots where to spend an unrepeatable night. Probably the most perfect place where to go for a true Bogota is Andres Carne de Res. It is famous for its Colombian cuisine and enchanting rumba parties. The area is divided into four themed floors: the first floor is Hell, dedicated to exciting Latino dances. The second floor is Earth, the dinner space, the third floor is Purgatory, a transitional mood lounge, and the fourth floor is dedicated to Heaven, with a quite ambiance. This brilliant spot is so diverse and big that it can take a long time to admire it in totality. The music is at its best, with guests who dance  rumba, salsa, and local rhythms. The hard rock café is another notable place where to hang out with your friends. The café offers a recognizable touch to all new visitors of Zona Rosa. The world famous bar creates a unique experience about Bogota, where you can spend the time listening  to live rock music by local bands, taste from the delicious food that the menu offers.  The Penthouse is the largest club and lounge in Bogota, and the most chic night spot for VIPs and Colombian celebrities. This gorgeous place  includes three floors  of the best entertainment, with a huge apartment with a lounge, kitchen, table game and even double beds along the walls. Penthouse is a true oasis with a combination of rumba, parties, and  nice atmosphere, perfect for the best relaxation.

 

  These are just few attractions that Bogota includes. The capital of Colombia, Bogota is a very excellent destination for an exciting vacation, filled with picturesque sites, incredible landmarks that really are worth to be visited. Enjoy a unique experience in Bogota, while traveling around and admiring its elegant and delicate sightseeing places. The city is famous for its colonial streets churches, modest buildings and tremendous nightclubs that create a very original ambiance. Do not hesitate and take a deep walk around Bogota and spend fabulous adventures, while in the city.

 

 

 

 

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