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La Candelaria, Bogota, Colombia

La Candelaria is the historic heart of Bogota, Colombia’s capital—and it’s where the city itself was born in 1538. Nestled in the downtown area, this neighborhood is a vibrant blend of colonial charm, cultural richness, and bohemian energy.

Walking through La Candelaria feels like stepping into a time capsule. The streets are lined with Spanish Colonial and Baroque-style buildings, many of which have been lovingly preserved or repurposed into museums, cafés, and hostels. Colorful facades, wrought-iron balconies, and cobblestone alleys give the area its signature character.

La Candelaria is Bogotá’s cultural epicenter. Highlights include:

  • Museo Botero: Home to works by Fernando Botero and other international artists.
  • Museo del Oro (Gold Museum): A dazzling collection of pre-Hispanic gold artifacts.
  • Chorro de Quevedo: A small plaza believed to be the city’s founding site, now a hub for street performers and poets.
  • La Puerta Falsa: Bogotá’s oldest restaurant, serving traditional tamales and hot chocolate since 1816.

The neighborhood is also home to several universities, libraries, and cultural centers, making it a magnet for students, artists, and thinkers. You’ll find bookstores tucked between art galleries and cozy cafés buzzing with conversation.

Man on Horseback (Hombre a Caballo)
The sculpture "Hombre a Caballo" (Man on Horseback) by Fernando Botero is the centerpiece of El Renacimiento Park in Bogotá.

  • This striking bronze piece weighs over 700 kilograms, stands four meters tall, and stretches three meters long—a classic example of Botero’s signature voluminous style.
  • Installed in the year 2000, the sculpture was a personal donation from Botero to the city. It arrived from Germany just days before the park’s inauguration and was placed at the entrance as a symbolic gateway between Bogotá’s bustling center and the solemn grounds of the nearby Central Cemetery.
  • Botero himself visited the site with then-mayor Enrique Peñalosa to ensure the sculpture would be displayed in a space that felt open and dignified. He even sketched out the installation layout on the spot, sealing his vision for how the piece should interact with its surroundings.

Taquería Vicente
Taquería Vicente is a cozy gem tucked inside the Plaza de Mercado de la Concordia, right in the heart of La Candelaria, Bogotá’s historic district.

  • This taquería brings the bold, comforting flavors of authentic Mexican street food to Colombia’s capital.

Virgin of Guadalupe Sanctuary
Perched atop the Cerro de Guadalupe at 3,317 meters above sea level, the Santuario de la Virgen de Guadalupe is one of Bogotá’s most serene and spiritually significant landmarks. It offers not only a place of worship but also breathtaking panoramic views of the city—higher even than the more famous Monserrate.

  • The original chapel was built in 1656, but it was destroyed by earthquakes over the centuries, with the most recent major damage occurring in 1917.
  • The current sanctuary features a towering 15-meter statue of the Virgin of Guadalupe, visible from much of Bogotá, and serves as a pilgrimage site for locals and visitors alike.
  • Located about 8 kilometers from downtown Bogotá, the sanctuary is accessible by car, motorcycle, or even on foot for the adventurous. The winding road up the hill offers scenic views, but it’s best to visit early in the morning to avoid fog and traffic.

Street art and whimsical sculpture
La Candelaria in Bogotá is like an open-air gallery where street art and whimsical sculpture meet colonial charm.

  • The neighborhood is famous for its vibrant murals, which cover everything from hostel walls to historic facades. These works range from political commentary to indigenous symbolism, and many are created by both local and international artists like Guache, Crisp, and Toxicómano. You’ll find especially rich clusters of murals along Calle del Embudo, Carrera 2, and around Plaza del Chorro de Quevedo. The city now embraces street art, even commissioning large-scale works that stretch several stories high.
  • As for the sculptures—La Candelaria is home to a unique collection of 33 life-sized fiberglass figures created by Bogotá artist Jorge Olave. These “inhabitants of silence” are perched on rooftops and balconies, depicting everyday people from the neighborhood: a fisherman holding a banana as bait, a shoeshiner mid-stride, a tightrope walker above the street. They’re not just decorative—they’re a tribute to the anonymous lives and stories that shape the city’s soul.
  • Together, the murals and sculptures turn La Candelaria into a living, breathing canvas.

Hermitage of San Miguel del Príncipe
Tucked into the cobbled charm of Plaza del Chorro de Quevedo in Bogotá’s La Candelaria district, the Hermitage of San Miguel del Príncipe is a small white chapel with deep symbolic roots.

  • Though modest in size, it stands on the historical footprint of Bogotá’s very first chapel, believed to have been established in the 16th century when the city was founded in 1538.
  • The current structure was rebuilt in 1969, modeled after the original Capilla del Humilladero, which had been demolished in the late 19th century. Its simple colonial design and quiet presence contrast beautifully with the lively energy of the surrounding plaza, where street performers, storytellers, and musicians gather daily.
  • The hermitage serves not only as a religious site but also as a symbolic birthplace of Bogotá, anchoring the city’s origin story in both faith and folklore. It’s a favorite stop on walking tours and a peaceful counterpoint to the vibrant murals and bohemian buzz of La Candelaria.

Candelaria Theater
The Teatro La Candelaria is a cornerstone of Bogotá’s theatrical and cultural life—an intimate venue with a revolutionary spirit. Founded in 1966 by the legendary playwright and director Santiago García, it was Colombia’s first independent theater collective, and it helped shape the country’s modern dramatic arts.

  • More than just a performance space, Teatro La Candelaria is known for its commitment to socially engaged theater.
  • The group creates original works that explore Colombia’s political, historical, and cultural realities, often blending research, improvisation, and collective creation.

Conjunto Residencial Calle del Sol
Before it became the Conjunto Residencial Calle del Sol, this striking building in La Candelaria, Bogotá, had quite a storied past. Originally constructed in 1917 as a seminary, it later served as the headquarters for various institutions, including Colombia’s intelligence services, and even housed administrative security dungeons.

  • Today, it’s been transformed into a residential complex with 71 apartments, but much of its Neo-Gothic architecture has been meticulously preserved.
  • Locals affectionately refer to its central courtyard as the “Plaza Gótica”, and it’s considered one of the most emblematic spaces in Bogotá’s historic center.

Luis Ángel Arango Library
The Luis Ángel Arango Library—affectionately known as La BLAA—is the intellectual heartbeat of Bogotá’s historic La Candelaria district.

  • Founded in 1958 and named after the former director of Colombia’s central bank, this library has grown into one of the most important and visited public libraries in Latin America, welcoming thousands of visitors daily.
  • With over 1.1 million books and a total of 2 million works, it spans everything from rare manuscripts to cutting-edge research.
  • The library occupies two full city blocks and blends colonial architecture with modern design, creating a space that’s both grand and inviting.
  • It’s more than a library—it houses art galleries, exhibition halls, and the Luis Ángel Arango Concert Hall, a premier venue for chamber music in Colombia.
  • The main entrance features a bronze statue of Athena or Minerva, Greek goddess of wisdom, the arts, trade and defense.

Museo de Arte Miguel Urrutia
The Museo de Arte Miguel Urrutia (MAMU) is one of Bogotá’s most dynamic cultural spaces, nestled in the heart of La Candelaria, the city’s historic district. It’s part of the Banrepcultural Network, which also includes the Botero Museum, the Gold Museum, and the Luis Ángel Arango Library—all within walking distance.

  • MAMU houses over 6,500 works of art, showcasing a rich tapestry of Colombian, Latin American, and international art.
  • Its permanent collection is curated across five thematic galleries, covering everything from colonial-era religious art to contemporary installations.
  • You’ll encounter pieces by artists like Antonio Acero de la Cruz, Ramón Torres Méndez, and even international names like Marina Abramović and Chuck Close.
  • Originally known as the Museo de Arte del Banco de la República, it was renamed in 2016 to honor Miguel Urrutia Montoya, a prominent Colombian economist and cultural advocate.
  • The museum is designed to foster dialogue between Colombian and global art, and it regularly hosts temporary exhibitions, artist talks, and educational programs.

San Carlos Palace
The San Carlos Palace (Palacio de San Carlos) in Bogotá is a neoclassical gem steeped in centuries of Colombian history. Located at the corner of Calle 10 and Carrera 5 in La Candelaria, this 16th-century mansion has served many roles—from a Jesuit seminary to a presidential residence, and today, the headquarters of Colombia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

  • Built in 1585 by Archdeacon Francisco Porras Mejía, it was originally a private residence.
  • In 1605, it became the Colegio Seminario de San Bartolomé, run by Jesuits until their expulsion in 1767.
  • It later housed the first printing press in Santa Fe (now Bogotá) and served as a public library and military barracks.
  • From 1827 to 1908, the palace was the official residence of Colombian presidents. It was here that Simón Bolívar survived an assassination attempt in 1828—escaping through a window mid-bath, thanks to a warning from his companion Manuela Sáenz. A plaque still marks the window of his dramatic escape.
  • After a brief return as a presidential residence in the 1950s, the palace was officially designated in 1980 as the home of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a role it continues to serve today.
  • Its elegant façade, redesigned by Italian architect Pietro Cantini, complements nearby landmarks like the Colón Theater and the Rafael Pombo House.
  • While the palace itself dates back to the late 16th century, the Portuguese tiles (azulejos) are believed to have been added during one of its many renovations—possibly in the 19th or early 20th century—as a nod to European aesthetics and craftsmanship. Their presence is unusual in Bogotá’s architecture, making them a distinctive feature of the building.

Window through which Simon Bolivar escaped to save himself from assassination
On the night of September 25, 1828, Simón Bolívar narrowly escaped an assassination attempt during the infamous Septembrine Conspiracy—and the window he leapt from has become one of Bogotá’s most storied landmarks.

  • The escape took place at the Palacio de San Carlos, then Bolívar’s presidential residence. A group of conspirators stormed the palace, killing guards and heading straight for Bolívar’s chambers.
  • According to historical accounts, Bolívar had just finished bathing when his companion, Manuela Sáenz, warned him and urged him to flee. He jumped from a modest wooden window, painted green, with 16 rectangular glass panes and an iron railing, measuring about 2.5 meters high by 1.3 meters wide.
  • Though often romanticized as a dramatic balcony leap, the actual window is relatively simple—set just two meters above street level and framed in colonial stonework.
  • A marble plaque still marks the spot, quietly commemorating the moment when the Liberator slipped into the night and hid beneath a bridge until the danger passed.

Colon Theater
The Teatro Colón in Bogotá is Colombia’s national theater and a crown jewel of neoclassical architecture and cultural heritage.

  • Located in the heart of La Candelaria at Calle 10 #5-32, it has been a stage for the country’s most important artistic expressions since its inauguration on October 27, 1892—a date chosen to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Columbus’s arrival in the Americas.
  • Designed by Italian architect Pietro Cantini, the theater was inspired by the Palais Garnier in Paris, though at about half the size. Its horseshoe-shaped auditorium seats around 785 people, and its interior is adorned with Tuscan Doric columns, carved stone facades, and 19th-century frescoes. The Swiss architect Luigi Ramelli contributed to its ornate decoration.
  • The Teatro Colón has hosted everything from opera and ballet to contemporary theater and concerts. It was declared a National Monument in 1975, and underwent major renovations between 2008 and 2014, restoring its original splendor while upgrading its acoustics and stage technology.
  • Now part of the Centro Nacional de las Artes Delia Zapata Olivella, the theater continues to be a hub for national and international performances, supporting Colombian artists and offering a diverse cultural program year-round.

Church of Saint Ignatius
The Church of Saint Ignatius (Iglesia de San Ignacio) in Bogotá is an example of colonial Jesuit architecture and one of the city’s most historically significant religious sites. Nestled in the heart of the La Candelaria district, it sits between the Museo Colonial and the Colegio Mayor de San Bartolomé, forming part of a rich architectural ensemble.

  • Construction began in 1610 under the direction of Juan Bautista Coluccini, an Italian Jesuit priest and architect. Inspired by the Church of the Gesù in Rome—the mother church of the Jesuit order—Coluccini designed San Ignacio with a wide central nave, side chapels, a transept, and a dome, all reflecting a blend of Renaissance and early Baroque styles.
  • Consecrated in 1635 and completed in 1691, the church played a central role in Bogotá’s religious life. During the Jesuit expulsion (1767–1891), it was renamed San Carlos in honor of King Charles III and even served as a vice-cathedral before the completion of the current Primate Cathedral.
  • The facade features three arched openings, corresponding to the church’s three naves, and the interior is known for its elegant proportions and architectural harmony rather than excessive ornamentation. After years of restoration, the church reopened in 2017, reclaiming its place as a cultural and spiritual landmark.

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Location: La Candelaria, Bogotá, Colombia