Plaza de Bolívar

The Plaza de Bolívar, at Carrera 7 and Calle 11 in La Candelaria, is the ceremonial centre of Bogotá and of Colombia. The site was laid out as the settlement's main square in 1539 and takes its present name from the bronze statue of Simón Bolívar that Pietro Tenerani placed at its middle in 1846. Four major buildings face the paving: the neoclassical Capitolio Nacional, home of Congress; the modern Palacio de Justicia, rebuilt after the 1985 siege; the Catedral Primada, on the north side; and the French-inspired Palacio Liévano, which houses the mayor's office.

What visitors see is a large open stone square framed by these institutions, with the Andean hills rising behind the eastern edge. The plaza is used for protests, ceremonies, concerts and public events, so its atmosphere shifts through the day. Street vendors sell coffee, bags of corn for the pigeons and souvenirs, and photographers work the middle. The best photo angle is from the steps of the cathedral or from the corner near the Palacio Liévano, which captures the statue with the Capitolio behind it and the mountains beyond.

A visit to the square itself takes 30 to 45 minutes, although it is usually combined with the cathedral, the Museo del Oro and the museums of La Candelaria. The plaza is open around the clock, but daylight hours are recommended. Security officers are present and identification may be requested on some events, so visitors should keep valuables secure and stay aware of belongings in crowded conditions. Weekday mornings, before the square fills with school groups and office workers on lunch, are quietest. Sundays can be pleasant when the Ciclovía passes along Carrera 7, though it also brings crowds.

The surrounding buildings keep their own schedules and may be closed to the public. Guided walking tours of La Candelaria commonly begin or pass through the plaza, giving context on the events that unfolded here, from independence-era gatherings to modern demonstrations.