BOGOTÁ, FROM THE OLD TOWN TO DOWNTOWN:
If you come to Bogotá, Colombia, you will find a
vibrant city that is, for sure, going to surprise you. And it is said, because
this metropolis lived by more than 9
million people is a place on earth you would like to know if you are interested
in history and want to see how this elevated location, up on the Andes
mountains, is one of the most important and modern developed cities of the
Americas.
The Muiscas, were the natives that lived here before
the Spaniard conquistadores, came to this extended plain. They had a very good
life over here; the salt mines of Zipaquira, and a very fertile land, made this
a hot trading place, where other tribes
came to exchange products for the salt and the produce. The payment for the
commodity could be fish or hunt, or tropical fruits and vegetables, but also
they paid for it in the form of gold artifacts.
This is why all the natives from many regions pointed to
the conquistadores this place up in the mountains. Where there was the richest
of the native chiefs of the land, known as El Zipa.
The greedy Spaniards came here looking for El Dorado
(A myth that there was a city made of gold), And when they came, they found
that it was normal for the Chibchas (The name of the tribe of the Muiscas that
inhabited the area) to have gold objects hanged in the walls of their houses
and in their bodies as well.
They decided to stay and founded Santafe de Bogotá, in
August of 1538.
Since then, this town has been playing a principal
role in Colombia, the Americas and the world.
When you come to Bogotá, there are some places you
have to be if you are here. The old city, known as La Candelaria, is a must. And
it is better if you walk by. There you will be seeing the transformation from
the Spanish town to this urban hot spot of the 21st century, At the
Plaza de Bolívar you will see the Catedral Primada, the Palacio de Justicia,
The Palacio Lievano which is the Mayors office and the Capitolio Nacional,
where the Congress of Colombia deliberates.
Very near is the Casa de Nariño, where is the office
and residence for the President of Colombia. Also, walking by La Candelaria,
the architecture is a blend of times from the colony to present. At time you
will feel as if you were walking in the Spanish settlement of the 16th
century and in the other block you will see a French building of republican
style or and art deco from the 1920s.
Many museums are in this small area of Bogotá, from
the Quinta de Bolívar to the Casa del 20 de julio, or the Museo de Arte
Religioso to the Casa de la Moneda or the Museo Botero, or the Emerald Museum
to the most famous of them all, El Museo del Oro, an impressive collection of
gold artifacts from before the conquista. You will be amazed, and will know
that El Dorado is a legend to be discovered.
Blend with the bogotanos, it is safe, just be aware
like in any major city. Have local treats like an aguapanela with almojabana,
or a pandebono, drink a jugo de lulo, you will never forget the flavor, grab an
empanada and juice it with a pinch of lime and ají. Have breakfast with caldo
de Costilla (beef rib and potato soup), or stop at a bakery and ask for a
roscón. At this area you will find all of Colombia and many parts of the world
reunited in few blocks, so make the best of it. Enjoy the climate, not as cold,
never too hot.
If you want to take a tour of Bogotá, you can do it by
your own using your mobile. At www.audiomap.me you will find
a tour of downtown Bogotá.
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