Colombia Sights

Caribbean Coast
The northern part of the country, adjacent to the Caribbean coast, has vast plains between the sea-shore and the northern spurs of the Central and Eastern Cordilleras. Visiting card of the region are vast plains, often swampy and overgrown woodlands, and ancient volcanic laccolith the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta (5794 m), voznosyascheysya in the heavens like a beacon at the north-eastern department of Magdalena. This is a region of long beaches, luxury resorts, music, salsa and quiet fishing villages, and almost unnoticeable from the coal and gas deposits. Here are the major ports of the country - Santa Marta, Barranquilla and Cartagena, as well as the resort island of San Andres, Providencia and Santa Catalina.

San Andres and Providencia
With the islands of San Andres and Providencia lies 750 kilometers north-west of the Caribbean coast of Colombia, and only 230 km east of Nicaragua. The archipelago consists of about 25 small coral islands, forming two groups. The southern group of islands clustered around the seahorse has the shape of the island of San Andres, northern (90 km from San Andrés) - around the mountainous island of Providencia.

San Andres - one of the best resort areas of the Caribbean Sea, where natural beauty and charm of the island is largely untouched. Turquoise waters, extensive coral reefs and rich marine life - a paradise for lovers of scuba diving. A relaxed atmosphere of island life, friendly people, adequate (although not cheap) tourist service, the regime of free trade and general safety make the archipelago a great place to escape from the bustle of the outside world. The capital of San Andres Town (El Centro) lies in the northern part of the island and is the focus of social life - are many duty-free shops, hotels, clubs and restaurants. Also of interest Baptist Church Iglesia Bautista, Emmanuel (XVI-XVII vv.) In the village of La Loma, a beautiful beach near San Andres Town and the legendary cave of La Kyuva de Morgan or Morgans Cave, which, according to the legends , pirate Henry Morgan in 1670 buried his treasure (at San Andrés was once the base of the British Corsair). The best beach areas are Spret bay, bays Sound Bay near St. Louis, Kokoplam Bay and the Cove, as well as islet Johnny Cay. Also in the waters of the island are the wrecks of the ships "Blue Diamond" and "Nikaraguense, reef wall Blue Hole and Blue-Wall, as well as an underwater geyser El Hoyo-Soplador at the southern tip of San Andrés, attracting the attention of divers.

Providencia, or as they call it 6 thousand local residents - "Old Providence," in contrast to the San Andrés almost untouched by tourism boom (however, the formation of the structure is very fast). It almost unchanged to preserve traditions of the island - the original English and "patois", which is spoken by immigrants from the African continent, pastoral manners and quiet, measured life. Hotels here are more like the XVIII century tavern somewhere in Wales, there are almost no bars, but the main celebrations coincide with the canonical day Saints. But the natural environment is more natural, and the conditions for diving are more varied than San Andres (the most popular in this regard Freshuoter Bay-Bay). A walk from Kasabaha to the top of the biggest "mountains" on the island - El Pico, would consider it almost the whole.

Santa Fe de Bogota
Bogota - capital of the Republic of Colombia, the administrative center of the department of Cundinamarca and the largest city in the country. The town lies on the banks of the Río San Francisco, in the vast basin plateau Sabana de Bogota (the highest plateau in Colombia - the average height of it is 2600 m), at an altitude of 2650 meters above sea level. The city was founded by Spanish conquistador Gonzalo Jimenez de Quesada in 1538 under the name of Santa Fe de Bogota. Before Europeans arrived there flourished a civilization of Indians "muiska" and "Chibcha", one of the fortresses which - Bakata, and became the basis for future capital of Colombia. As elsewhere, the new Spanish possessions, the Indians were quickly evicted from such an attractive place, and already in 1598, Mr. Santa Fe de Bogota is the capital of the Spanish general captaincy (since 1739 - Vice-Kingdom), New Granada. After gaining independence from Spain (1824) the city was renamed in Bogotá, and by the end of XIX century it became a major center of the revolutionary movement as Colombia and other Latin American countries. Despite its political influence and an advantageous geographical location, the development of Bogota for a long time, had suffered from poor transport links with the rest of the country, so by 1940 there remained only 300 thousand inhabitants. Only the civil war 1942-1958 gg. led to an exodus of peasants from the war-torn countryside to the capital. By the end of XX century industrialization and mass migration have led to the fact that Bogota has become the fourth largest city in South America and one of the most cosmopolitan capitals in the region.

Nowadays, Bogota is the quintessence of all Colombian. It is a city of futuristic architecture, colorful and diverse cultural and intellectual life, magnificent colonial churches and brilliant museums. And at the same time, a city of beggars, slums, drug traffickers, and perpetual traffic jams. It is this wonderful mix of prosperity and poverty, supercars and pack mules, ultra-modern office and poor neighborhoods makes Bogotá one of the most charming and, at the same time, chaotic and violent capitals in the world.

Modern Bogota is a complex and intricate network of narrow streets, winding along the mountain slopes. Above the old tower blocks dozens of churches and other architectural monuments of XVII-XIX centuries, and new areas shine glass and concrete, lifting up into the sky tower banks and offices. The central part of Bogota stretched between Avenida Jimenez de Quesada and Calle 7. The main area of the capital is the Plaza Bolivar (1807-1823 gg.) With the famous statue of the first president of Colombia and the cathedral Catedral (1572-1610 gg., Rebuilt in the early XIX century, renovated in 1998) to the graves of Gonzalo Jimenez de Quesada, the war hero for independence Antonio Narino and the most famous artist of the colonial era - Gregorio Vasquez de Arce and Kebalos. South of the square is the Presidential Palace, where daily at 17.00 a colorful ceremony held shift of honor. On the northern side of the square there is a building of the Palace of Justice, restored in 1999 after rebels stormed the building in 1985, also at the center and the surrounding very old city area of La Candelaria is the church of San Francisco (1567), the church of Santa Clara ( XVII-XVIII centuries., now a museum), the church of La Concepción (XVIII century, is now located here at a great repository of art in the style of "Mudejar"), the church of San Ignacio (XVII-XVIII centuries., one of the most ornate churches in the country), churches of La Tercera Division (XVIII-XIX cc.), Nuestra Senora del Carmen, La Candelaria and San Diego. Deserved fame city bring colorful building Casa de Poesiya-Silva (now here is the Museum's poetry), Fundacion-Alzate-Avendano, Palacio de San Carlos, the Casa del Marqués de San Jorge, Luis library Angel-Arango, the Teatro Colon, Primada-Catedral, Capilla del Sagrario, Palacio Arsobispal, Palacio Echeverri and Palacio de Nariño (presidential residence).

Medellin
The second largest city of Colombia, capital of the province of Antioquia and "terra-Pais, Medellin was founded in 1616 at an altitude of 1538 meters above sea level. This is the most dangerous cities on the planet (here a year are approximately 5000 serious crimes - eight times more than in the most hostile cities in the USA), the city "sicarios" (juvenile gangs), and drug cartels, village, strangely enough, more than 3 million are very friendly people who, even within Colombia are the glory of the merry and artists. A Aburro valley, whose slopes are occupied by urban neighborhoods of Medellin, has a wonderful climate, the average yearly temperature is hovering around 24 marks in S.

The city itself is very colorful - among the old quarters and cobbled streets of the tower rare Spanish churches, villas, and alternating red-brick barracks. By the sights of the city include the Basilica de la Candelaria, basilica-Metropolitana (beginning of XX century, the largest brick church in South America) in the Parque de Bolivar, Pueblito Paisa - the exact copy of a typical village of the region with many shops selling handicrafts, the area of Plaza de Toros la Macarena, the area of Plaza Botero, with lots of Fernando Botero - the world-renowned local sculptor, the museum Musa de Antioquia with the works of the same Botero, as well as university two stadiums (the local football team - the leader of the national championship) and, of course, the famous Botanical Gardens Jardín Botanico Joaquin Antonio Uribe, with his no less famous collection of orchids - Orhideorama.

Annual flower festival Fier de las Flores is held in Medellín in late July and early August. This colorful holiday parade called "gentleman" (in some years, their number reaches up to 7000 riders), marching through the city. The feast falls on Defile de Sileteros, when thousands of locals descend the slopes with flowers in their hands, forming a real moving sea of color stains of national costumes and bouquets. Is also widely known Medellin International Poetry Festival which is held in mid-June.

Santa Marta
The capital of the Department of Magdalena and the oldest city in Colombia, Santa Marta was founded by Roger de Bastidas in 1525. Choice of location for the port is easy to understand - an excellent harbor of Santa Marta lies in the interior of the picturesque mountain peaks that arise wall just outside the city districts, and local tribes "Tayrona" in the time of the Aztecs were well known for his ability to work with gold. Some of their products, and not sent conquistadors to Spain through a new port of Santa Marta, one can see the famous Musa del Oro in Bogota. And from themselves ancient masters remained only study center heritage Tayrona and a few relatively isolated communities living in the mountains of Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta.

For a long time the city served as a refuge and a base for British and Dutch pirates, so few people are surprised that this beautiful port is still a haven for smugglers and drug dealers, and his once-brilliant beauty has faded from the dust and exhaust fumes. However, this does not mean that it is a simple export port, which stops only travelers, following the interior. Here you can find the villa of La Villa de San Pedro Alehandrino (XVII century, 5 km from the city center), which has spent the last years of his life, Simon Bolivar, a small museum of Bolivar (the exhibit are works of art donated by the peoples of the countries who fought for the independence of Bolivar - indeed, the popular hero of many countries of the region), the Cathedral of Santa Marta (XVII-XVIII cc.) building Sitios-Historikos, Tayrona Heritage Center for the Study and dozens of mansions in colonial style.

But around the city rich in monuments - within a radius of 50 km from Santa Marta you can see the National Park of Sierra Nevada del Santa Marta, which has a wide range of ekotsenozov - from rainforests to the dry Andean plateau, the famous "lost city Tayrona - Ciudad -Perdida (50 km south-east of Santa Marta, V in n. e.) and a complex network of tracks and steep stone stairs (over 1350) the period of the Inca civilization south of it, in the valley Buritaka; isolated settlements of Indians "Kogi" - one of the the most ancient ethnic groups in South America, Tayrona National Park (25 miles east of Santa Marta) on the list of UNESCO World Heritage historic city of Santa Cruz de Mompoks (founded in 1540 g) with dozens of colorful colonial buildings in the Spanish style (almost they are still used for its intended purpose); coastline with fantastic beaches and numerous resort areas - Playas-Crystal, Playas Grande, Neguanhe, Arresifes and El Rodadero, as well as the beautiful bay and Taganga village of the same name, widely known among lovers of diving and beach holiday.

Leticia
Center all tourism activities in the eastern part of Colombia - the small town of Leticia, situated on the banks of the Amazon, near the border with Brazil and Peru. Leticia was founded by Peruvians in the middle of XIX century, but was ceded to Colombia after the revision of borders in the 30th years of XX century. Despite the once-strained relations with its neighbors, today Leticia almost merged with the Brazilian port of Tabatinga (4 miles up the river), for which not even require a visa.

Leticia herself - a quiet, nondescript town of all the attractions that point usually only Isla de Los Mikos ( "Island of the Apes," is really more than a thousand lives of those restless animals), a zoo and a beautiful main square of the town - Park Santander, which is filled excellent restaurants, cafes and offices of tourism organizations, as well as hundreds of tropical birds, especially very chirping at dawn and dusk. And here's what really deserves attention because it is itself Amazonia, where the city sent dozens of tour groups every day. Near Leticia located Amakayu National Park (an area of about 20 thousand sq. km.) Lake Tarapoto - the habitat of freshwater pink dolphins, Indian tribal reservations "Ticuna", "Yagua or Witoto, and just - Amazonia itself, with all its mysteries and rich nature.

Cartagena
Founded in 1533, Cartagena de Indias was one of the first Spanish settlement in the New World and the main port through which flowed the wealth of the continent in the metropolis. One example of this is the Spanish galleon San Jose was still lying 50 km from the harbor at a depth of 750 m. It is carried in the holds of their production, currently estimated at more than $ 3 billion when it was sunk by British ships in 1708 . Not surprisingly, the city was a tasty morsel for British pirates, has repeatedly tried to capture him in the XVI century. The most famous raid on Cartagena led the famous Francis Drake, who in 1586 captured the city, burned the cathedral and held hostage more than a hundred days, demanding instead a colossal at the time of redemption. Because it is not surprising that the Spaniards tried every way to secure for them such an important trading port, is built around the outer contour of the city complex system of fortifications, which are now the main attraction of the city (the total length of the fortifications of Cartagena is more than 11 km).

"The most charming city of Columbia is literally full of historical sites. Not all of them preserved in its original form, but even that left a lot to say about this picturesque city. Interesting walled Centro Amuralyado (Old Town) - the heart and focus of the history of Cartagena, full of colonial buildings, shady plazas, churches and convents, beautiful pedestrian zone in the area Getsemani (Outside City "), dominates the city fortress Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas (construction began in the 1533-1657 years, but before the end of the numerous forts and fortress being constructed), vivid building Mansion Casa de Marquez-Valdehoyos at Calle Factoria, Museum de Oro - and-archeology at Bolivar Square, the palace Palacio de Inquisition (1770 g), the Cathedral of Cartagena (1575-1602 gg.), the oldest church in the city - Iglesia de Santo Domingo (1536 g), the former prison of Las Bovedas (XVI century, are now shopping arcade), more like a fortress, former convent Convent de La Popa (XVI century) with its historic museum and a chapel Virga de La Candelaria in honor of the patron saint of Cartagena, recreation areas Bokagrande and El Laguito with lots of high-class restaurants, hotels, clubs and bars, Coast Playas Blanca - one of the best beaches in Colombia, a beautiful old port of Cartagena on the Baja de las Enimas, as well as whole blocks of old colonial architecture in the former river port Mompis, which lies between Cartagena and Santa Marta.

30 km southwest of Cartagena are the Islas del Rosario, famous for the magnificent coral reefs and rich marine life, magnificent beaches of white sand and crystal-clear sea, which makes them extremely popular destination for diving.

Barranquilla
The city of Barranquilla, also known as Kurramba La Bella, the capital of the department of Atlántico, located in the northwestern part of Colombia, approximately 13 km upstream from the mouth of the Magdalena River and 80 miles east of Cartagena. Founded in 1620 as a trading post on the banks of the Magdalena, today it is one of the largest industrial centers in the country and one of its main ports (ocean-class ships can not go up the river, so the role of the seaport serves the small town of Puerto Colombia in the mouth of the Magdalena) . The main sights are the universities Atlantico (1941) and Del Norte (1966), an excellent zoo, anthropological museum, the Museum of Natural History, protecting remnant rainforest and swamps of Salamanca Island National Park (area 21 000 ha). However, business card Barranquilla - the famous Carnaval El Joselito or "Carnival of Barranquilla", celebrated usually for 4 days before the day of repentance, and widely known as one of the biggest carnivals in the world.

Popayán
One of the most beautiful and best preserved colonial cities of Colombia, Popayán is the capital of Cauca. It was based on the slope of the volcano Purache all the same Sebastian de Belalkasarom in 1537. Situated halfway between Bogota and Quito, he soon enough became a major center of growing and processing sugar cane. The mild climate has attracted many immigrants here, and the town grew into an important religious and commercial center with many churches, monasteries, seminaries and successful companies.

Nowadays, visitors can see the church Iglesia de San Francisco (well known for its beautiful altar), Iglesia de Santo Domingo, the church and convent of San Agustín, Iglesia de La Ermita (1546 g - the old church of the city), Cathedral Catedral (rebuilt after the earthquake of 1983, when the entire city center was almost completely destroyed, and all remedial and restoration work carried out themselves residents of the city), Iglesia de Carmen, Iglesia de Encarnación, Iglesia de San Jose, as well as the Capella de Belen, the walls of which offers a splendid panorama of the city and its environs. Noteworthy Museum Casa Musa-Mosquera with a collection of samples of colonial art, a collection of religious art in the Muse de Arte-Religioso (located in the old Franciscan monastery), Casa Musa Negro (contemporary art), Museum of the poet Guillermo Valencia, Museum Natural History, University of Cauca, the building Morro de Tulkan with the statue Belalkasara Bridge Umilyadero with its brick arches.

Santiago de Cali
The third largest city of Colombia, Cali, lies in the south-western part of the chain of the Western Cordillera, at an altitude of 995 meters above sea level. The city was founded by the Spanish adventurer Sebastian de Belalkasarom in 1536, and since then, as there began to develop the production of sugar and coffee, the city grew rapidly from a small settlement of miners in the large industrial and commercial center in the country.

By Cali attractions include the church Iglesia de la Merced (XVII century - the oldest church Cali) on the square Qaeda, the church Iglesia de San Antonio on a hill near the city center, Plaza de Toros de Kanaberaleho -- place of the traditional corrida, museum of colonial art in the adjoining monastery cathedral, the Archaeological Museum with an extensive collection of subjects pre-Columbus period, a small museum of gold Musa del Oro with a collection of gold objects Calima Culture, the Museum of Modern Art Muse de Arte Moderno, La -Tertullus, Natural History Museum, Federico Carlos Lehmann-Valencia, Experimental Theater Cali (TEC), Museum of sugar cane, numerous halls of salsa ( "salsoteki") on the northern bank of the river and in the Huanchito and the zoo.

Around the city are noteworthy traditional place of pilgrimage - a monument to monument de las Tres Krusas on top of the mountain, one of the most beautiful colonial houses of the country - hacienda Casas Gordas on the southern outskirts of Cali, the National Park Faralones de Cali and reserve Reserba - Natural-Ato-Beho, numerous old hacienda sugar barons, now used as small museums, the hacienda of El Paraiso and Piehechinche 40 kilometers from the city, as well as archaeological sites of pre-Columbian civilizations in archaeological parks Arkeologogiko de Tierradentro and Park Arkeologogiko - de San Agustin.