Sightseens & Tours in Bogota |
Among the many attractions that Bogota has to offer, the Monserrate Valley, a beautiful hill and viewpoint, is one of the main ones. Moreover, the Tequendama Falls and the Quinta de Bolivar museum are definitely a must for tourists visiting the area.
La Candelaria, one of the city’s most select and best known neighborhoods, offers several attractions, namely a wide array of art exhibitions, museums such as the Gold Museum, among others.
What is more, the José Celestino Mutis Botanical Garden or the Distrital Planetarium as well as the Parks, Poplar groves and Wetlands, Libraries and Newspaper libraries are also well worth visiting.
The Santamaría Bullring, the Colpatría Tower with its 50 floors, the covered Coliseum El Camping with a total capacity of 20,000 people, the Jorge Eliécer Gaitán Municipal Theatre with a capacity for 1750 people and more…
|
PLAZA BOLIVAR
|
La Candelaria in Bogota |
La Candelaria is Bogota`s most important and attractive neighborhood. Facing the big Guadalupe and Monserrate hills, here the combination of history, art, students, politics and craftsmen give the area a distinctive touch.
According to historians, it was exactly in this place where Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada built its twelve huts in 1538.
Despite being the smallest one, this area is by far and away the city’s most important locality. Nowadays this area is also regarded as the historic centre of the city and the local and regional institutional centre can be found here as well.
Elegant balconies, a rich architecture, modern and classical at the same time are some of La Candelaria’s main features. A place where a particular anecdote lives in each of the streets.
One striking example of this is the well known Calle de la Paloma (Pigeon’s Street), named after the belief that there is a treasure in each of its houses. Also, the Calle de la Cajita de Agua, where the well that would supply inhabitants was found.
|
LA CANDELARIA
|
Gold Museum in Bogota |
In the heart of Santander park, an amazing collection of pre Hispanic works can be enjoyed in this museum which owns one of the most important collections of precious metal art works in the world.
Such collections consists of more than 36,000 highly original works of art and a number of pre Columbian ceramics and pottery which can be enjoyed in the second and third floor of the Bank of the Republic of Colombia.
The Bank of the Republic has been promoting the museum for more than sixty years now, since 1944. Since inaugurated, the bank has opened its doors to the public that has related to it in some way or other.
Nowadays, since the museum has experience a process of remodeling, exhibitions are held in more modern premises though very near the old headquarters and it is opened to general public. There is a Restaurant and Cafe in the first floor where visitors can share their experience while having dinner or enjoying a coffee. |
GOLD MUSEUM IN BOGOTA
|
Tequendama Falls in Colombia |
A wonderful attraction of the Funza river, water that falls from about 132 meters high to a huge circular rock that is usually covered by thick fog.
This natural beauty is hugely impressive and not only is it possible to admire it but also it may be highly interesting to find out its hidden secrets.According to the Chibcha Legend, it was this powerful man who stroke and shattered a rock with his wand, releasing the floodwaters that covered the savannah and creating the great waterfall.
This place is located about 30 kilometers southwest from Bogota and it is part of the San Antonio del Tequendama Municipality. However, people from Bogota still feel terribly proud of such beautiful attraction.
|
TEQUENDAMA FALL
|
Chibcha Legend
Every three months in Bacata, the Chibchas used to organize parties honoring Bochica, drinking and dancing. These parties were held when the rains were too long as well, since, in former times, rains used to last several days sometimes. This would happen because Chibchacún got extremely angry when people did not worship gods in the lagoons, failed to take care of their crops or fought among them.
On one occasion, the sky suddenly covered with heavy clouds and the day became a dark night. Among several lightning, great drops of rain started to fall. The thick clouds became huge waterfalls and consequently the rivers where badly flooded, exterminating animals, plantations and people. Although they pleaded for mercy, the disastrous flood inflicted by the irate god continued increasing.
Bochica realized it was no good punishing people in that ways, with such a devastating flood. Therefore, he wandered along the rainbow and Chibchas would praise him with songs, until he used his staff to break the rock and release the water, which fell from the great heights. And this is how the Tequendama fall was created.
Once there was no more water in the valley, Bochica condemned Chibchacún to carry earth on his shoulders; as he shifts the weight from one shoulder to another, earth tremors are felt. |
|
