The Parish of Our Lady of the Snows, located in the Santa Fe neighborhood in the heart of Bogotá, was established in 1568. Its founding was inspired by the arrival of an image of the Marian invocation dating back to the 4th century. This parish serves as a tribute to the devotion originating in Rome, Italy. With dimensions of 64 meters long and 27.5 meters wide, it is the second oldest church in Bogotá and a unique treasure of history and beauty along what was once known as the "Royal Road to Tunja" and earlier, "the Road of Salt." It is said that travelers embarking on their journey from Santa Fe to Tunja would consecrate themselves to the Virgin of the Snows before setting out.
In 1917, an earthquake severely damaged the parish's structure. Five years later, the church was demolished, and reconstruction began, resulting in significant changes to its original design. Today, the temple features a Byzantine architectural style that is typical of the religious buildings from Colombia's republican period. Its facade is distinctively adorned with yellow and red stripes.
The main altar is adorned with spiral columns, and the pulpit is beautifully crafted from carved wood. The stained glass windows in the lateral naves and the impressive sculptures are particularly striking. The temple features several colonial paintings and is classified as an Asset of Cultural Interest for Integral Conservation. As an architectural landmark, it attracts many visitors during Holy Week, making it a significant site in the religious life of the city. It serves as a space for spiritual reflection and also appeals to those interested in the history and architecture of the Colombian capital.
You can reach Our Lady of the Snows Parish by taking the TransMilenio. The nearest station is Calle 19 on Avenida Caracas. From there, you just have to walk about 7 minutes east on Calle 20 until you arrive at Carrera 20, where the church is located.
By SITP, you can take a bus that passes by Carrera 10a, one that gets you close to the area by Carrera 3a. Some nearby routes that work for you are 97, A127, A151, H601 and L919.
For those traveling by car, taxi, or bicycle, the church has nearby parking and safe routes for cyclists. You can take routes such as Avenida Caracas, Carrera 7a, Carrera 9a, Carrera 3a and down Calle 20.