The country estate at the foot of Monserrate given to Simón Bolívar by the government of Gran Colombia in 1820 and used by him intermittently until 1830. The 18th-century house keeps period furnishings, Bolívar's campaign objects and a walled garden of hydrangeas and eucalyptus, and it sits directly beside the Monserrate base station.
The Casa Museo Quinta de Bolívar is a country estate at the foot of Monserrate, at Calle 21 No. 4A-30 Este in La Candelaria, Bogotá, Colombia. The government of Gran Colombia gave the property to Simón Bolívar in 1820, and he used it intermittently until 1830. The 18th-century house has been preserved as a museum, with period furnishings, personal and campaign objects associated with Bolívar, and a walled garden planted with hydrangeas and eucalyptus.
Visitors move through a sequence of rooms that show how the house was lived in, including the study, bedroom, dining room and reception spaces. Displays include portraits, documents and furniture from the early republican era. Outside, the gardens are a highlight, with paths shaded by trees, low hedges and views of the eastern mountains rising directly behind the property. The setting is quiet compared with the busy historic centre, and the garden is a pleasant place to pause before or after the climb up Monserrate.
A typical visit takes about one hour. The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday from 9:00AM to 5:00PM and closed on Mondays. Admission is low, at around COP 5,000, with free entry on Sundays and on Wednesdays from 3:00PM to 5:00PM, and free for visitors over 60. Reduced rates apply for children and students. Guided visits in Spanish are often available, and labels give context in the main rooms.
Crowds are modest on most days and rise on free Sundays. The house sits about 300 metres from the Monserrate base station, so it combines naturally with the ascent, and visitors often see it in the morning before taking the funicular or cable car. The walk from Universidades TransMilenio station is uphill for about ten minutes. Photography rules vary by room, and visitors should follow posted signs.
| Admission | Adult Around COP 5,000 (~$1.57); free on Sundays and on Wednesdays from 3:00PM to 5:00PM · Child Reduced rate for children and students; free for visitors over 60 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Tuesday-Sunday 9:00AM-5:00PM; closed Mondays |
| Typical visit | 1 hour |
| Best time | Combine with the Monserrate ascent, which starts 300 metres up the same street |
| Getting there | TransMilenio to Universidades station, then a 10-minute uphill walk |
| Address | Calle 21 No. 4A-30 Este, Bogotá D.C., Colombia |
Location
Calle 21 No. 4A-30 Este, Bogotá D.C., Colombia
4.5967, -74.0636 View on map
Highlights
- The 18th-century house given to Simón Bolívar in 1820
- Period furnishings and campaign objects associated with Bolívar
- A walled garden of hydrangeas and eucalyptus
- Location beside the Monserrate base station
Tips for visiting
- Combine the visit with the Monserrate ascent, which starts nearby.
- Entry is free on Sundays and on Wednesdays from 3:00PM to 5:00PM.
- The museum is closed on Mondays.
- The approach from Universidades station is uphill, so wear suitable shoes.
- Ask at the desk about guided visits in Spanish.
When to visit
Weekday mornings, paired with the Monserrate ascent. Free Sundays are busier.
Accessibility
The house has thresholds, steps and uneven garden paths, and the approach street is steep. Visitors using wheelchairs should confirm accessible areas with the museum in advance.
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Frequently asked questions
How long does a visit take?
About one hour for the house and garden.
Is it worth it for kids?
It suits older children with an interest in history, and the garden gives younger ones room to move. Reduced rates apply for children.
Is photography allowed?
Photography is generally permitted in the garden, while rules inside the rooms vary and are posted at the entrance.
When is entry free?
Entry is free on Sundays, on Wednesdays from 3:00PM to 5:00PM, and for visitors over 60.