La Media Torta open-air theater
The La Media Torta Open Air Theater celebrates its 86th anniversary. Since its inauguration in 1938 as a contemporary amphitheater donated by the British Council, it has witnessed the growth of Bogotá as a city welcoming to all, both locals and foreigners. Conceived in 1936 by Jorge Eliécer Gaitán as an entertainment space for the first peasants and migrants who arrived in the capital, La Media Torta has been an integral part of the cultural life of the city.
International Center
From an economic point of view, the International Center is an important financial district of Bogota and one of the most notable in Colombia. Numerous national and international business headquarters are located here, as well as financial entities, banks, and governmental and non-governmental organizations. This makes it a nerve center for economic and business activity in the city and the country.
Temple of San Agustin
Just behind the Casa de Nariño is this church, built in carved stone and declared a National Monument. The temple was built between 1642 and 1668 in colonial style as part of the old convent of the Order of St. Augustine. Among the historical events that took place here is the execution of the heroine Policarpa Salavarrieta, in 1817, and the Battle of San Agustín, in 1862, which had this complex as its epicenter.
La Veracruz Church
Sheltered behind the Church of San Francisco, is a temple that looks like part of a village. The Church of La Veracruz, whose first construction dates back to the XVI century according to the plaque on its north façade, is one of the oldest in the country and treasures an unparalleled historical interest.
Our Lady of Egypt Church
Giving its name to the emblematic Egypt neighborhood in the town of Santa Fe, the Church of Our Lady of Egypt rises majestically. In 1556 the first hermitage dedicated to the profession of the Catholic faith was erected in this place, and a little more than a century later the temple as we know it was built. It was a silent witness of bloody events in colonial times, such as the execution of the patriot Juan de la Cruz Molano, close to Policarpa Salavarrieta, by order of the viceroy.
The Third Order Church
The Church of the Third Order, an architectural jewel built between 1761 and 1780, belongs to the Secular Third Order or Order of Penance, whose mission is to follow the precepts of the Order of St. Francis of Assisi. In its beginnings, the complex consisted of a church and a cloister, both of which were demolished in 1890. The church, at that time, was connected to the church of San Francisco by a bridge, also demolished in 1876.
Our Lady of Candelaria Church
It is known, simply, as the Candelaria Church. Its construction was begun in 1686, as part of the old Convent of San Nicolás de los Agustinos Recoletos. What is most impressive in the interior of this church and convent of 1703 are the works of the painter Gregorio Vásquez de Arce y Ceballos, in addition to the mural of the artist Pedro Alcántara Quijano Moreno. As for its structure, of colonial origin, the temple is composed of three naves and two lateral ones. The main altar, from the XVII century, stands out. Between 2003 and 2005 it was restored.
National Library of Colombia
In this stunning art deco-style building, you will find the emblematic National Library of Colombia. It safeguards and disseminates the country's bibliographic and documentary heritage and is one of the first public libraries in Latin America.
This library is located in the Santa Fe locality, at Calle 24 and Carrera 5ª. Its exclusive collection of personal files includes some figures of national life, such as intellectuals, writers, and politicians, whom you will meet during your guided tour.
Colon Theater
The Teatro Colón, a cultural icon of Colombia, joins the National Center for the Arts with three new rooms. Built between 1885 and 1895 by Pietro Cantini, it stands out for its neoclassical architecture and distinctive style. In 1975 it was declared Cultural Heritage of the Nation. The main room has 773 chairs distributed on four levels: stalls, first, second and third level boxes, and gallery. Its features include a fresco of the muses on the ceiling, the Ramelli lamp and a curtain painted by Annibale Gatti in 1890.
National Museum
The oldest museum in Colombia is located in the city's International Center, founded in 1823 by the Congress of the Republic and open to the public since July 4, 1824. Dedicated to the preservation of the country's cultural values, it houses a patrimony of more than 2,500 works and objects, symbols of national history and heritage. In its calendar, the Museum offers temporary exhibitions of national and international history, art and archeology, as well as academic and cultural programming.