Jeff at Career Break Secrets has been treating us with photo essays of his favorite destinations such as Turkey and Villa de Leyva, Colombia. As a recently settled traveler in South America, Jeff returns this week to discuss the art and architectural wonders of Bogota, Colombia.
Colombia has been getting lots of travel love lately. It has made its way onto both independent and mainstream travel lists from all over the world. Bogotá is its grand, bustling capital, home to 8 million people. Fans of art and architecture have much to enjoy in Bogotá and its surrounding area. Colombia has a long history of artistic expression from the pre-Colombian days through the modern era with its living legends of Fernando Botero, Gabriel Garcia Marquez and, dare I say, Shakira. Here is a small sample of what Bogotá has to offer:
Bogotá is the political and financial capital of Colombia. Home to 8 million residents. Located at 2600 meters above sea level, there are no seasons, the weather is always moderate and it’s always raining somewhere in the city.
The mountain Monserrate is home to one of the most famous local Catholic churches. Visitors who take the funicular up to the top will pass by sculptures of the “Stations of the Cross” on their way to the cathedral at the top.
Old churches and colonial architecture dot the old center known as La Candalaria. One of the most famous landmarks in the area is the Santuario Nuestra Señora.
For only 3000 Colombian pesos (about $1.50USD) and free on Sundays, the magnificent Gold Museum showcases pre-Colombian uses of gold in interesting and unique ways.
The Botero Museum in the old part of Bogotá is free to visitors who can see Fernando Botero’s sculptures with which he is most closely associated and his paintings. While his work can be seen all over the world, the museum houses 123 original works in addition to approximately 85 works by other leading international masters like Chagall and Picasso.
The Luis Ángel Arango Library merits a quick stop as it has several unique architectural oddities and quirks like these lettered stairs highlighting important societal messages.
About one hour to the north of Bogotá is Colombia’s number one cultural site, the underground Salt Cathedral. Opened in 1995, this is Colombia’s second salt cathedral and was built to replace the original which was closed in 1995 due to safety concerns. Except for a few sculptures brought in for adornment, everything is carved out of the salt rock.
Jeff Jung is the founder and producer of CareerBreakSecrets.com, a travel site for people taking time away from work to go travel the world. Jeff has traveled to 27 countries, lived in the US, South Africa and all over South America. He currently can be found in Bogota, Colombia and on twitter @CareerBrkSecret
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Wow what a nice place! I’m looking forward to go to this place and capture the beautiful scenery on my lenses. Thanks for the post!
the photo is very impressive.
i can not almost believe that it is made by salt rock.because Colombia should be very hot
Good article Thank you so much
I am from India and I have been visiting your site for the past two years. I find it very interesting and informative, travelling the world over, thro’ this window. Suggest, could you please trace out the ancient travel / trade routes from the west to the east and the orient, through pictures.
Thank you.
Diwakar.
Hey Diwakar, thanks for the note! We’ll look into doing a photo post of that, though if you have any you’d like to submit, please email us for consideration!
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