8 Day Colonial Colombia

Today, we will head out on a half-day visit to the historical centre of Bogota, also known as La Candelaria. This historical suburb is of great significance to the country ́ due to its cultural heritage and its stunning Spanish colonial architecture. The city’s main Plaza is the Plaza de Bolivar, where the statue of Simon Bolivar is found. The plaza was originally used for civil and military purposes The Cathedral found on the plaza's eastern side is constructed on the same spot where the first-ever church was built in 1539. The Capilla del Sagrario is located just beside the Cathedral and is a great example of religious architecture. It houses valuable pieces of colonial religious art by Gregorio Vasquez de Arce y Ceballos. The Capitol, built between 1847 and 1926, shows both renaissance and neoclassical influences with intricately carved stonework and tall columns. The central area of the Capitol, known as the Elliptic Hall is where congress meets and is the actual chamber for the Senate. Around the Plaza de Bolivar are buildings such as the Palacio de Justicia, the Mayor of Bogotá’s offices called the Edificio Liévano, the oldest school in the county called San Bartolome and the Casa de Los Comuneros.  We will continue with the Botero Museum, a colonial house exhibiting some of Fernando Botero ́s works of art and in addition pieces from his own personal collection that includes works by Picasso, Renoir, Dalí Matisse, Monet and Giacometti.  We will then head to the Gold Museum which has a permanent exhibition of some 32,000 pieces of gold, 20,000 stones, ceramics and textiles, belonging to the Quimbaya, Calima, Tayrona, Sinu, Muisca, Tolima, Tumaco and Magdalena civilisations of Colombia. 

Today we will leave Bogota to travel to Zipaquirá, the spectacular Salt Cathedral. The name Zipaquirá refers to Zipa, the leader of the Muisca tribe and the chief of these rich salt mines. We will head through a tunnel in the cathedral, taking us to the dome. After we will reach the enormous cross carved into the saline rock and finally the three naves of the Cathedral that represent the birth, life and death of Christ. In the central nave is the main altar, with the huge cross made by the Colombian artist Carlos Enrique Rodriguez. This is the largest cross made from salt in the world. We will then head to the salt mine. The trip ends at a water mirror where it is possible to see the spectacular visual effects of water on carved rock. 

We will then continue to Villa de Leyva in the afternoon. In colonial times, Villa de Leyva played a central role to gain independence. Today, the city is a colonial jewel with a main square surrounded by Spanish colonial houses, small alleys, cobblestone streets and the 17th century parochial church.

Today we can enjoy Villa de Leyva by visiting its cultural and ecological attractions. There are many important museums such as the Colonial Art Museum and the Museum of Maestro Acuña, which exhibits works of this important painter, sculptor and writer. The Fossil Museum, founded in 1977, was built in exactly the same place where a kronosaurus, a marine reptile of more than 120 million years old,  was discovered. On the outskirts of the town, there is also "El Infiernito", a pre-Hispanic Muisca site, where around 30 megaliths are located. It is believed that these columns are about 2,200 years old. Some believe this site belonged to an ancient fertility cult, due to its phallic-shaped stones, others, believe that it was used as an ancient astronomical observatory. It is possible to stargaze at night while sitting in the main square drinking “canelazo”, a typical local drink.

After breakfast, we will head back to Bogotá, stopping at the Convento del Santo Ecce Homo along the way.  Founded by the Dominicans in 1620, this was an important point of evangelization in a region populated by Indigenous communities. On arrival in Bogota, we will head to the airport our flight to Cartagena and will be taken to our hotel for the evening.

Today, we will visit Cartagena's colonial district, starting in The Parque Bolívar, surrounded by large trees and four impressive fountains, with a statue of El Libertador as the centrepiece. Around the square, the Gold Museum exhibits pre-Hispanic objects, and the Palace of the Inquisition, with its impressive baroque entrance. This building housed the prison and torture chambers for the alleged opponents of the Catholic Church. The visit continues to the Santo Domingo church and the cathedral to end at the Museo de Las Fortificaciones. You will then have a free afternoon for your chosen activities.

After breakfast, we will head to San Basilio de Palenque, recognized by UNESCO as Cultural Heritage site. The town’s name comes from the Palenques, communities of escaped slaves from the colonial period of the 17th century.  This community has survived in San Basilio with their practices, customs and traditions. The inhabitants have retained their African influences in their daily routines, including their “palenquera” tongue which blends elements of Spanish with the African dialects of Bantu. We will visit the town square and a local guide will take us to a traditional house, where we can taste an authentic Colombian coffee. We will learn about the process of liberation from slavery and how the town has preserved their customs to this day. We will then see some of the important sites such as La Casa de la Cultura and Plaza Benkos Bioho, which takes its name from the Founder of San Basilio. We will then head to the main church and to the statue of Antonio Cervantes Reyes "Kid Pambele" the boxing world champion.  We will then meet the charismatic community leader, farmer, singer and composer Rafael Cassiani considered the most important musician of San Basilio de Palenque. Cassiani has incredible musical knowledge; he plays several musical instruments and is native to this area. Finally, we will learn how to prepare typical regional desserts by the women of the community.

After breakfast, we will head to the airport for your ongoing flight home or to your next exciting destination!