Historic towns
Where time seems to have stood still
Colombia’s bustling cities are interspersed with picturesque historic towns. Villages with cobbled streets, whitewashed houses and orange roof tiles. Places where time seems to have stood still.
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Villa de Leyva
A visit to Villa de Leyva is like a romantic journey back in time. In particular, the enormous central square, covering 14,000 m², and the 17th-century church are an absolute must-see.
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Cathedral of Salt
In the small town of Zipaquirá, about 50 kilometres north of Bogotá, there is a salt mine that has been converted into a church. The Salt Cathedral has no bishop and therefore cannot strictly speaking be called a cathedral.
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Barichara, the most beautiful town in Colombia
Barichara and its impressive surroundings are still rarely visited. This is remarkable, as the town is often cited as one of the most beautiful historic towns in Colombia. Incidentally, ‘town’ is perhaps a bit of an exaggeration; it is more of a village, situated in a fertile valley.
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By cable car
Not far from Barichara lies the Chicamocha Gorge. The gorge is over 220 km long and 2 km deep, making it larger than the Grand Canyon. A trip on the cable car is highly recommended. This cable car is over 6 kilometres long and takes you to altitudes ranging from 500 to 1,600 metres above sea level. Here, you’ll be rewarded with the most spectacular views.
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The craft of delicate jewellery
Mompox is another place where time seems to have stood still. The village is renowned for its filigree craftsmanship, in which artisans create highly intricate and delicate jewellery from silver and gold wires. This craft has been passed down from generation to generation in this town.
Fancy a trip of Colombia?
Would you like to organise your own trip of Colombia, including visits to historic towns such as Villa de Leyva, Barichara and Mompox, and are you curious about the options available? Then do take a look at the itineraries we’ve put together for inspiration. You can book these tours directly, but we’d also be happy to put together a personalised itinerary based on your preferences and ideas.
Do you have a question? Please feel free to contact us. Call +31 73 610 62 04 or send an email to info@sapapanatravel.nl. We’ll be happy to help.