If you are planning to travel to Bogotá, it is very likely that you have already heard about La Candelaria. This traditional neighborhood is part of the historic center of the city, and houses some of the most important places in the history of Colombia.
There are many tourist plans that can be carried out in La Candelaria: from visits to museums, through gastronomic tours, and even tours of urban art and graffiti in the area. But one of the most interesting plans, and one that is rarely talked about, is the tour of the churches in the historic center. Through their architecture, their iconography and their location, these religious places have a lot to say about the daily life and history of Bogotá.
Regardless of your creed, the churches in the center of Bogotá are part of our historical heritage and are closely linked to the history of the city: many of them were built in times as remote as the colonial period, and have witnessed significant historical events, such as the founding of the city in 1538, that fight over a vase that led to independence in 1810, or the historic Bogotazo in 1948. By visiting these churches, you can immerse yourself in the history of Bogotá and better understand its evolution throughout the ages.
1st stop: The Primate Cathedral
We begin our tour with the First Cathedral of Colombia, located in the heart of the historic center of Bogotá: the Plaza de Bolívar. Its construction began in the XNUMXth century and combines Gothic and Renaissance architectural elements, housing numerous works of religious art inside. Together with the buildings of the National Capitol and the Liévano Palace, it forms one of the most iconic images and silhouettes of the city.
2nd stop: San Francisco
We continue with the San Francisco church, built between 1550 and 1567, it is the oldest standing church in our capital, restructured several times but preserved to faithfully represent its original design. Its façade, with its Baroque details, is impressive, and its interior houses a magnificent main altar and numerous chapels adorned with gold leaf that remind us of its neighbor, the Gold Museum. A visit to the Church of San Francisco will give you a vision of the colonial history of Bogotá and the importance of the Franciscan order in the region.
3rd stop: Our Lady of Mount Carmel
A little further towards the center of La Candelaria, we find the Nuestra Señora del Carmen Church, another important temple in the center of Bogotá. It was built in the XNUMXth century in the Baroque style and is known for its beautiful façade that mixes red with white. Its interior houses a large number of works of religious art, including paintings, sculptures, altarpieces and stained glass windows that recount the religious Via Crucis of Jesus. Thanks to its construction period, it is a sample of the architectural convergence between the European style and the Arab style in the design of the temples of that century.
4th stop: Our Lady of Candelaria
Continuing east, we find the Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria Church, which shares its name with the historic neighborhood; the name comes from the Virgin of Candelaria, who, according to popular history, appeared in front of a group of workers surrounded by candles, for which she was called Candelaria, from the Latin candeo. This church, built in the XNUMXth century, is located very close to Chorro de Quevedo, where it is said that the founding of the city took place. It also houses an impressive collection of frescoes that, together with its characteristic architecture, remind us and give a faithful image of the city's colonial era.
5th stop: Monserrate
Finally, reaching the mountains to the east of the capital, we find the famous Monserrate, with its temple at the top of the mountain. The Basilica of the Lord of Monserrate is located on the Cerro de Monserrate, on a hill from where the landscape of Bogotá can be seen panoramically. This church is an important place of pilgrimage for Colombian Catholics, who have the tradition of going up on Sundays with their families or when they have a request to their god. On the Cerro de Monserrate you can also take a tour of the statues that recount the Stations of the Cross, while you do bird watching and enjoy the incredible view.
Religious architecture in Colombia
Colombia is a country of churches in which, in fact, we find a temple in each central square of the towns or cities, since long ago they were the meeting place for the inhabitants of a place and thanks to their impressive architecture they attracted the people, creating a sense of community around common religious beliefs.
Therefore, from Nueva Lengua We invite you to get to know this interesting part of our culture and beliefs while enjoying the majestic religious architecture of our country.
This and many more plans, while you learn Spanish with us. Write us at info@nuevalengua.com and we will tell you about our Spanish courses and cultural immersion In colombia.
All the articles in this blog have been written by the teachers of our school and by students from different countries who traveled to Colombia to learn Spanish.
“You travel too and study Spanish in NUEVA LENGUA"
Follow us on our social networks:
RELATED VIDEOS
MEDELLÍN - GUADUAS
