Plaza de Bolivar

Plaza de Bolivar, in the La Candelaria district of Bogota, Colombia, is the country's central civic square and gathers several eras of national power on one paved rectangle. The frame offers the neoclassical Capitolio Nacional on the south side, the Catedral Primada on the east, the French-styled Palacio Lievano and the brutalist Palacio de Justicia, with the green wall of the Cerros Orientales closing almost every eastward composition. The bronze statue of Simon Bolivar sits at the centre and serves as a foreground anchor, while pigeons, feed sellers, llama handlers and occasional protest marches supply movement. The square is open and faces roughly north to south, so the light changes across its facades. Early morning before 8:00 a.m. gives an empty square and soft side light, and late afternoon low sun lights the cathedral facade and sends the pigeons upward in dramatic flocks. Overcast conditions reduce glare on pale stone and are useful for architectural detail. The clearest skies behind the Capitolio columns come between December and March, although afternoon showers are common in the wetter months and a rain cover is sensible. The square is busy on most days and very crowded during demonstrations, official ceremonies and weekends. A tripod is workable in the early hours but attracts attention and can be obstructed by security when official events are under way, so handheld shooting with a wide-angle lens is more practical later in the day. Drone flights over the square are not advisable because it lies beside government buildings, and permission would be needed from the authorities. There is no entry fee for the square, although the cathedral and neighbouring museums have their own hours. The centre also attracts opportunists, so a discreet camera bag and a strap worn across the body are advisable. Cafes around the square provide restrooms and water.