The Church of San Ignacio is located next to the Colonial Museum and the Colegio Mayor de San Bartolomé, a temple whose first stone was laid in November 1610. Its construction was completed in 1691 and, before that, it was consecrated to Saint Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Society of Jesus. During the period when the Jesuits were expelled from the country (1767-1891), the church was renamed San Carlos, in honor of King Charles III. The architect and Jesuit priest Juan Bautista Coluccini was in charge of designing its construction, inspired by the Church of Gesù, in Rome. Like that one, this temple has a wide central nave with side chapels, transept, balcony and dome. Its style has also been related to that of the Basilica of St. Andrew in Mantua, of Renaissance style. Although its size is smaller than that of other temples in Bogota, what is striking is the design of its dome and its architectural lines, which constitute the interior decoration beyond the works of art on display. It could be said that the church meets the transition between Renaissance and Baroque styles. In 1975 it was declared of cultural interest. After a long period of restoration, in 2017 it reopened its doors.
