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…
Plaza de Bolívar
Bogotá's main square, framed by the cathedral, the National Capitol, the Palace of Justice and the mayor's office, with Tenerani's 1846 statue of Bolívar at its centre.
At a glance
- Type
- Main square
- Area
- La Candelaria, Bogotá, Colombia
Good to know
- Free
- Open-air
- Step-free access
Why we recommend it
Plaza de Bolívar is the civic heart of Colombia, a large open square covering about 1.4 hectares at the centre of La Candelaria. It is bounded by Calles 10 and 11 and Carreras 7 and 8, and each side is held by a major institution: the Primatial Cathedral and the Archbishop's Palace to the east, the National Capitol, seat of Congress, to the south, the Palace of Justice to the north and the Liévano Palace, home of the mayor's office, to the west.
The square has been the focus of the city since its foundation. A first, simple cathedral went up here in 1539, a year after Bogotá was founded, and in colonial times the Plaza Mayor served as a market and a stage for bullfights and public events. It became the Plaza de la Constitución after independence, and took Bolívar's name in 1846, when Pietro Tenerani's bronze statue of the Liberator was placed here, the city's first public monument. The Capitol was begun the same year but not completed until 1926.
Later history is written into the buildings. The Palace of Justice burned during the Bogotazo riots of 1948, and its successor was destroyed in the 1985 siege; the present building dates from construction that began in 1998. The square was declared a national monument in 1995 and remains the place where Colombians gather to protest, celebrate and mark national events.
There is no ticket and no opening time, so you can come at any hour of daylight. Mornings are generally calmer, and the square is at its most atmospheric when crowds gather for public events. Allow half an hour to walk around the edges and look at the facades, longer if you go inside the cathedral. The square is flat and open, so it works well for families, and it is a natural meeting point for walking tours of the old town.
The Museo del Oro is a few blocks north. The Museo Botero, the Museo Santa Clara and the old streets of La Candelaria are all within a few minutes on foot, so the plaza is the obvious starting point for a day in La Candelaria. Keep an eye on bags and phones in the crowds, as in any busy city centre.
Plaza de Bolívar FAQs
Is there a fee to visit Plaza de Bolívar?
No. It is a public square, open at all times.
Which buildings surround the square?
The Primatial Cathedral to the east, the National Capitol to the south, the Palace of Justice to the north and the Liévano Palace, the mayor's office, to the west.
Who made the statue of Bolívar?
The Italian sculptor Pietro Tenerani. It was placed in the square in 1846.
Why is it called Plaza de Bolívar?
It was renamed after Simón Bolívar in 1846, when his statue was installed. Before that it was the Plaza Mayor and then the Plaza de la Constitución.
Is it a protected monument?
Yes. It was declared a national monument in 1995.
How long should I spend here?
Half an hour for the square itself, plus time for the cathedral and nearby museums.
What is within walking distance?
The Museo Botero, the Museo Santa Clara, the Museo del Oro via Carrera 7, and the old streets of La Candelaria.
Is it suitable for children?
Yes. It is a flat, open square that is easy to explore with children.