Attraction
Museo del Oro
The Banco de la República's Gold Museum on Parque Santander holds tens of thousands of pre-Columbian pieces, including the Muisca raft linked to the El Dorado…
Quinta de Bolívar
The colonial country house given to Simón Bolívar after independence, now a museum with period rooms and wooded gardens at the foot of Monserrate.
At a glance
- Type
- Historic house museum
- Area
- Las Aguas, Bogotá, Colombia
- Official site
- quintadebolivar.gov.co
Good to know
- Gardens
- Period rooms
Why we recommend it
The Quinta de Bolívar is a colonial country house at the foot of the Eastern Hills, below Monserrate, where Simón Bolívar stayed during his visits to Bogotá. It began as a property sold in 1800 to the merchant José Antonio Portocarrero, who built a country residence here. After his death in 1810 his royalist heirs could not keep it up, and by 1819 it was badly neglected. Following independence, the new government bought the house and gave it to Bolívar in gratitude; he lived there in 1821 and 1826, and returned in 1827 with Manuela Sáenz, who made it more comfortable and turned it into a meeting place for his supporters.
In 1830 the house passed to José Ignacio París. Through the rest of the 19th century it served variously as a political meeting place, a girls' school, a health home, a drinks factory and a tannery. In 1922 the state bought it again, with the support of the Sociedad de Embellecimiento de Bogotá, so that it could be restored as a museum dedicated to Bolívar.
The house has been arranged to look as it did when Bolívar lived there. You can walk through Manuelita's rooms, the great hall, the dining room, the games room and Bolívar's bedroom, as well as the pantry, kitchen, granaries and the room of his aide José Palacios. Large windows look out on the gardens and wooded grounds, where some trees are said to have been planted by Bolívar himself. The museum also holds objects associated with him; his sword was famously taken from here by the M-19 guerrilla group in 1974 and returned in 1991.
Allow an hour to an hour and a half for the rooms and gardens. The garden setting makes it a gentler stop than the big downtown museums, and it appeals to history enthusiasts and anyone interested in the independence period. Check the museum's website for current opening times and tickets before visiting.
The Quinta is on Calle 21 near the foot of Monserrate, whose funicular and cable car station is on Paseo Bolívar close by, so the two combine neatly in one morning. La Candelaria and the Museo del Oro are a short way downhill.
Quinta de Bolívar FAQs
Did Simón Bolívar really live here?
Yes. The government gave him the house after independence, and he stayed there in 1821, 1826 and from 1827 with Manuela Sáenz.
When did it become a museum?
The state bought the property in 1922 to restore it as a museum dedicated to Bolívar.
Which rooms can I see?
Manuelita's rooms, the great hall, the dining room, the games room, Bolívar's bedroom, the kitchen, pantry, granaries and the room of his aide José Palacios.
Are there gardens?
Yes. The house is surrounded by gardens and woodland, with some trees said to have been planted by Bolívar.
How long should I allow?
About an hour to an hour and a half for the house and gardens.
What is the story of Bolívar's sword?
The M-19 group stole the sword from the museum in 1974 and returned it in 1991 during peace negotiations.
Can I combine it with Monserrate?
Yes. The house is a short walk from the Monserrate funicular and cable car station.
Where is it?
At Calle 21 No. 4A-30, at the foot of the Eastern Hills above La Candelaria.