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Plaza de Bolívar, located in the heart of the historical area, is not only an important symbol for the people of Bogotá but also a crowded meeting point popular with photographers, food vendors, street theatre groups and children running around hundreds of pigeons on the square. There are always loads of armed military men around.
Here are Colombia's most important institutions: Capitolio Nacional (National Capitol), the seat of the National Congress; a French style building known as Edificio Liévano (Liévano building), the seat of Bogota's Mayor; Palacio de Justicia (Palace of Justice) and the Catedral Primada (the Cathedral), in which lies the tomb of Gonzalo Jimenez de Quesada, Bogota's founder. They are not open to the public (except the Cathedral). In the middle of the plaza is located a statue of Simón Bolívar made by the Italian sculptor Pietro Tenerani. Dating from 1846, it is the city's oldest public monument. Address: between Carreras 7 and 8 at Calle 10Directions: la Candelaria
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One of the buildings that suffered the most due to the troubles in Colombia during the 20th century was Palacio de Justicia. It's an enormous neoclassical structure, not particularly beautiful, where the Supreme Court works. It was built for the first time in 1921, but in April 1948 it was later burnt during the Bogotazo, the violent massive riots that followed the murder of Liberal leader Jorge Eliécer Gaitán.
It was replaced by a modern palace on the north side of Plaza de Bolívar which was destroyed again in 1985. The building was taken over by the guerrilla movement M-19. The army tried to take control of the building but a fire destroyed the entire building. The construction of the current Palacio de Justicia only started in 1989. Address: Calle 11 with Carreras 7 and 8Directions: Plaza de Bolívar
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On the southern side of Plaza de Bolívar stands a monumental building El Capitolio Nacional, the seat of the Colombian Congress. It was built with the help of several architects and engineers. The construction began in 1847 but due to the constant political changes that took place, the building was only finished in 1926.
It's a stone building in neoclassical style; it has two floors and four main rooms. Its distinctive facade was designed by the Danish architect Thomas Reed and comprises of 18 ionic columns at the center of the building. Address: Calle 10 with Carreras 7 and 8Directions: Plaza de Bolívar
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Plaza Bolivar is the political and historical center of Candelaria and of the whole city. It is a good place to watch people go by and observe the beautiful buildings around it. Some of the most important ones are here. The Capitolio to the south, the Palace of Justice on the northern side where the Supreme Court works, the imposing Catedral Primada and Capilla de Sagrario next to it on the east side and the Leviano building, a beautiful French style building which houses the Mayor's office on the west side. On the north east corner is the Museum where on the 20th of July 1810 the first Declaration of Indepence was made. The statue of Simon Bolivar (who else?) is the only thing built in the center.
A lot of action takes place on the square. Tourists, street vendors and locals spend their leisure time and occasionally musicians and street dancers perform here. Pigeons are frequent visitors searching for their favourite crumbs or the seeds for the typical pigeon-photo.
It was founded by Sebastian de Belalcazar in 1539 and has a glorious history as it was the setting for a lot of protests, demonstrations and national celebrations. In 1944 it was declared a National Monument.
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Catedral Primada de Bogotá (the Cathedral) stands on the east side of Plaza de Bolívar. It was built between 1807 and 1823, and its facade was restored in 1943 (by Spanish architect Alfredo Rodríguez Orgaz). Some say that the Cathedral stands in the same spot as the first church of Bogotá from 1538, where the first mass, following the foundation of Bogotá, took place.
Inside, there are paintings and carvings dating from the 17th and 18th centuries, the tomb of Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada (the founder of Bogotá) and one of the biggest organs in all of Latin America. The elegance of its neoclassical style can be appreciated in its high altar and the choir loft and pews, which date back to the 17th century. Address: Carrera 7 with Calle 10 and 11Directions: Plaza de Bolívar
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Edificio Liévano (Liévano building) occupies the whole western side of Plaza de Boliívar. The site was formerly took up by the Arrubla Galleries, which were burned to the ground in 1900. Present building is a wonderful example of the early 20th century Bogotano architecture, designed by the French architect Gaston Lelarge. It's a three floor complex in the French neoclassical style crowned at the corners by two large attics. The building was completed in 1905.
Today this beautifully constructed building serves as a working place of the Mayor of Bogotá. Address: Carrera 8 with Calle 10 and 11Directions: Plaza de Bolívar
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According to my guidebook the Cathedral should be open between 9 - 10 on Monday to Saturday and between 9 - 14 on Sundays. But it was never open when I passed by and I asked someone on Plaza Bolivar who told me another opening hour. I came back but it was still closed and I was now told it is always closed. Well, next time I visit Bogotá I will go back to have a look.
The Cathedral stands tall and impressive on the east side of Plaza Bolívar. Some people say it is built on the spot where the first mass was held after the foundation of Bogotá in 1538, other people say that happened somewhere else. Several churches have been built on this site but they have been destroyed because of bad foundation and earthquake. The church standing now is Bogotá’s biggest church and it was completed in 1823. Leave a Comment Directions: Plaza Bolívar
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Plaza Bolívar is a busy square. I have seen demonstrations stopping here, musicians playing and a parade of dancers beginning their parade here. At other times there are always people here, crossing the square or sitting down relaxing. There are also a lot of pigeons.
The name of the square changed in 1846 form Plaza Mayor to Plaza Bolívar and it was also then the bronze statue of Simón Bolívar in the middle of the plaza was placed there. It is made by the Italian artist Pietro Tenerani and it is the first public monument erected in Bogotá.
The plaza is lined with buildings from different periods and they are built in different architectural styles. Here you will find the Cathedral, Capilla del Sagrario, Museo del 20 de Julio, Palacio de Justicia, Edificio Liévano (the Mayors office) and the Capitolio National. Leave a Comment
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In a lot of ways, Plaza de Bolivar is the heart of Bogota and certainly it is the center of the Historic District. I visited here a couple times, but on a Sunday afternoon it makes for a perfect place to people watch or to meet friends. Some of the most important buildings, not only in the city, but in all of Colombia, are found here, including the seat of the National Congress, the mayor's office and the Palace of Justice. Most impressively, you'll find the city's main cathedral, although it was closed and I was unable to see the interior. Toward the center of the plaza on a raised platform is a statue of Simón Bolívar by the Italian sculptor Tenerari, which dates to 1846 making it the city's oldest public monument. Leave a Comment Address: Calle 10, between carreras 7 and 8Directions: La Candelaria
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 Capilla del Sagrario (The
Sagrario Chapel) by MalenaN, 2 more photos
The Sagrario Chapel is open Monday - Friday between 8 - 12 and 13 - 16. Leave a Comment Directions: Plaza Bolívar
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