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You can peer into Colombia' colonial
past by walking admist the mansions of Popayan (Cauca), where annually the processions
during famous festival of religious music are held. Walk through the cobbled streets of
"La Candelaria", in Bogota, visiting it's splending
churches and its free museums. In Cartagena de Indias its
colorful and fantastic 16th century balconies, you will feel a part of the heroic legends
the stories of pirates and treasures, and of castles and walls that defy time in order to
protect the magic of this city
The Colombian calendar is awash with festivals, carnivals, fairs and beauty pageants.
Some of the biggest events include: Carnaval de Blancos y Negros (Pasto; January);
Festival Internacional de Musica del Caribe (Caribbean music festival) (Cartagena; March);
Semana Santa (Holy Week) (most prominent celebrations are in Popayan and
Mompos; March or
April); Feria de las Flores ( Medellin; August); and Reinado
del Coco (San Andres; November).
The North-West
Made up of two large regions: the Choco Department (an extensive stretch of tropical
rainforest, sparsely populated mainly with Blacks, and including Los Kati s National
Park); and the Departments of Antioquia, Caldas, Risaralda and Quindio (a mountainous
region, predominantly White, and the location of the dynamic industrial and commercial
city of Medellin). The oldest town in the north-west is Santa Fe de Antioquia, about 80 km
north-west of Medellin, which still retains much of its colonial architecture and
atmosphere.
The South-West
The two biggest attractions in the south-west are the archaeological sites of San
Agustin and Tierradentro, and the colonial city of Popayan. Both San Agustin and
Tierradentro are littered with ancient statues, tombs and burial mounds, while Popayan has
many churches, museums and streets lined with colonial mansions. Cali,
Colombia's third-largest city, is noted more for its laid-back atmosphere than its tourist
attractions.
Santuario de Nuestra Senora de las Lajas Church Located seven km from Ipiales, on a
bridge which spans a spectacular gorge of the Gubatara River, is this gothic church.
Legend has it that an image of the Virgin Mary appeared in the mid-18th century on an
enormous rock above the river. Interestingly, the church has been constructed in such a
way that the rock (and image) is its high altar. Pilgrims from all over Colombia and
Ecuador journey here and, unsurprisingly, reports of miracles at the site are not
uncommon. Accommodation is suitably ascetic, being provided in a small but cheery convent
up the road from the church.
Cali is renowned for its cultural activities, and it is worth noting la Tertulia Museum
of Modern Art, home for important artistic events and both permanent and travelling
exhibitions, and also the Mucicipal los Cristales, and TEC theaters. The Ortiz bridge,
with its traditional stone arches is also worth seeing.
The Caribbean Coast
The coast is saturated in sun, rum and calypso music. Its inhabitants, (predominantly
mulattos), are an easy-going, fun-loving people who lend the region much of its carnival
atmosphere. Special attractions include Cartagena, among
the most illustrious colonial cities in Latin America; the Islas del Rosario, 30 km
offshore south-west of Cartagena, which have magnificent coral reefs; and the town of
Mompo, which is an architectural showcase. There's also the ancient city of La Ciudad
Perdida, which was the former capital of the Tayrona Indians. Hidden by an almost
impenetrable wall of jungle, it is the largest archaeological find in the Americas this
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CARTAGENA
Events:
Bulfight Season, held at the beginning of January
Easter week in Mompox Celebrated with great pomp and solemnity
International festival of Caribbean music, held in march
Interbational film festival (March or April) only event of its type held in South
America.
National beauty pageant is held at the same time as its independence November 11.
Places of interest:
Castle of San Felipe de Barajas:Build between 1536 and 1657 it was originally a
military fortress; it was underground tunnels, sentry boxes and barracks. Is the city's
most important piece of military architecture.
Other places alike: - San Sebastian de Pastelillo Fort ( First fortress built in the
city)
-Castle of San Fernando and San Jose de Bocachica Fort(Both located on the Island of
Tierra Bomba)
Casa del Marquez del Premio Real:: An excellent example of typical XVII century
colonial Cartagena mansion.
Other places to see:
Palacio de la Inquisicion, Ramparts( heavy walls), Puerta del Reloj (The clock gate),
Monumento a los zapatos viejos (The old shoes monument), Monumento a la India Catalina
(Monument to the indian Catalina), Plaza de los coches (Slave marque was held there),
Plaza de Bolivar (Named after liberator Simon Bolivar), San Pedro Claver Church (Named
after the protector or "apostlel of the blacks),Casa del Marquez de Valdehoyos and,
some museums and convents.
SURROUNDING AREAS
Islas del Rosario, islands located to the south of Cartagena Bay known for their
spectacular beaches.
Los Corales del Rosario, Natural National Park, 17.800 hectares large. Its waters cover
colorful coral reefs and a wealth of marine wildlife.
Monpox, 248 Kilometers from Cartagena, this picturesque Colonial city is situated along
the banks of the Magdalena. It is one of the Colombian cities where the buildings from
past centuries are best preserved.
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BOGOTA
Bogota,
the country's capital, a city of futuristic
architecture, a vibrant and diverse cultural and intellectual life, splendid colonial
churches and brilliant museums. Sights to look out for include: Iglesia de Santa Clara,
with its fresco-lined interior, images and altarpieces; Cerro de Monserrate, a peak
flanking the city which is famous as a site of many miracles; and Jardin Botanico Jose
Celestino Mutis, a lovely botanical garden featuring a variety of national flora. No
further than the foot of the hill, we find one of the most important tourist's atractions
, Simon Bolivar's farm house (La quinta de Bolivar), over 180 years old, many of the
original furnishing and personal belongings are displayed. The gardens are beautifully
kept.
Near to the quinta is the lovely church of Las Aguas, famous for its beautiful
archictecture. Then we find the center for colombian Crafts (Artesanias de Colombia), here
you can select from the best that Colombian craftsmanship has to offer. Towards the south
end of town, crossing the Plaza de la Pola, which was built to honor the memory of the
republic heroin, Policarpa Salavarrieta, we find the Colombian Academy, entrusted to the
care and purification of the Spanish languaje in Colombia.
Approaching the center of town, we find the most prestigious theater , the Teatro
Colon, where many internationally recognized artist have performed. But the biggest of
all, impossible to miss, is in back of the Parque Santander. It is a museum built and run,
by the Banco de la Republica. , Museo del Oro (gold museum)
which contains many relics of pre-Colombian history and is perhaps the most important
museum of its kind in the world; Its sole puspose is to house and exhibit the treasurer of
the Pre-Colombian gold collection. More than 25,000 original pieces have been classified
and are on exhibit. Other important museums are the Archaelogical Museum, situated in the
Hopuse of the Marquez de San jorge; the pre-Columbian ceramic collection at the Banco
Popular; and the National Museum ehich houses many exhibits from many different periods of
Colombian history.
In the north, we find the Museum of Modern Art. Many important Colombian works of art
are shown here, as well as fine examples of important artist. Passing through this
important hotel area, we come to the Parque de la Independencia, next to the park is the
is the planetarium, the bullring the Santamaria, and a large apartment complex, designed
by the award winning architect, Rogelio Salmona. This complex has won world wide
recognition. Going farther north on the Carrera 15, we come to Unicentro, this mall is
noted for its great selection of merchandise, its very convenient to shop there.
Fifty km north-east of Bogota is the colonial town of Guatavita and the famous Laguna
de Guativita, the ritual centre and sacred lake of the Musica Indians, and the cradle of
the El Dorado myth. In 1967 the construction of dam submerged the old village and a new
one, Guatavita La Nueva, was constructed nearby, its architecture imitating Spanish
Colonial style. There are good local food restaurants and a handicraft center in the
village.
THE NEW SALT CATHEDRAL. The New Salt Cathedral of Zipaquira, monumental tourist
work - religious, it was inaugurated by the President Ernesto Samper Pizano in December of
1995. It is located to 500 mts of horizontal distance of the previous cathedral and to 58
mts for under the same, within the already developed chambers. Has approximately 8.500 mts
of area under the surface and more than 4 hectares in the open air, with complementary
services distributed throughout a great public park that leads to the entry of the
mountain. It is descended toward the depths through Eje Sacro, a split that is opened in
the square, crosses the Alameda of the Robles, penetrates the mountain under the belfry to
enter underground world of the Salt Cathedral. The underground of the Cathedral is split
into three principal sections: The deambulatorio superior or Viacrusis. In the first
underground tour section are found equidistant, the XIV Stations of the Viacrusis, small
chapels carved in Salt, most of them with empty to the immense socavones of the mine. The
Dome, the decrease ramp, the balconies and the Nartex. The intermediate section of the
tour is begun in the Dome, from where is perceived for the first time the Great Cross of
the Cathedral, through a ramp carries us to balconies on the chambers, to the choir and to
the labyrinth staircases of the Nartex. The large ships of the Cathedral. The final
section carries us to the center of the Cathedral, in which three monumental ships define
the spatial structure of the same. The principal Central Ship contains substantially the
complex Presbiteral, preceded by the Cross of 16 mts of height, the Greater Altar, the
Ambon and the Ministerial Headquarters. The straight ship contains the Capilla of the
Santisimo and the sculpture of La Pieta. The left ship contains to the group of sculpture
that certify the set of the Natividad and the Bautismerio.
Salto de Tequendama (Tequendama falls) Located about 40 minutes from Bogota
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