PUEBLOS PATRIMONIO LA VILLA DE GUADUAS
(Colombian Heritage Towns: La Villa de Guaduas)
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According to historians, La Villa de Guaduas was founded on April 20, 1572, by Andrés Díaz Venero de Leyva. Guaduas lies on the old Camino Real, the route from the Magdalena River port of Honda to Santa Fe (Bogotá). The road was likely following a pre-Hispanic route.
In its early years, it was a resting place for travellers who made this arduous journey. However, for unknown reasons, it was then abandoned for some years.
Then on 13th December 1610 Friar Tomás de Morales founded the Franciscan Convent of La Soledad there, which led to the revival of the pueblo. On December 27th 1644, Guaduas’ status as a pueblo was restored.
The road became a vital route for social, economic, cultural, and political exchange from the 16th to the early 20th century, linking Santa Fe with the main waterway of the New Kingdom of Granada.
Guaduas, by Edward Walhouse Mark, 1847
La Villa de Guaduas sits on a mountainous foothill near the Magdalena River valley, once home to the Panche Indians and known for its willows and guadua bamboo. Hence the name, derived from the enormous guadua (bamboo) that abounded.
Colombia declared its historic center a Pueblo Patrimonio, and the area reflects this legacy with monuments, mansions, and a well-preserved stretch of the Camino Real.
The municipality of Guaduas, located 123 kilometres from Bogotá, approximately 3 hours away, is the only Pueblo Patrimonio in Cundinamarca. Colonial architecture stands out, and people recognize it as the birthplace of Policarpa Salavarrieta, or La Pola.
CLIMATE AND WEATHER
In Guaduas, the summers are and warm and the winters are short and comfortable. The weather is generally wet and overcast year-round, with temperatures ranging from 18°C (64°F) to 28°C (82°F). It rarely drops below 16°C (61°F) or exceeds 32°C (90°F).
The warm season lasts from late July to late September, with the cooler season lasting from mid-October to mid-December. The wet season lasts 9 months, from mid-March to early December. The month with the most wet days in Guaduas is April. The drier season lasts 3 months, from December to mid-March.
Guaduas is at an elevation of 992m/3,255 feet with a population of about 40,000. Wear light tropical clothing, a hat, and sturdy walking shoes.
THINGS TO DO AND SEE
The sites of interest in Guaduas and its surroundings have turned the town into a tourist hotspot.
In addition to places such as the Salto de Versalles, the Piedra Capira Mirador (viewpoint), from where it is possible to see the Magdalena valley and the snow-capped mountains of Ruíz, Santa Isabel and Tolima and the Camino Real, the remains of the bridle path that connected Guaduas with Honda and Santa Fe, there are other places of great interest.
Capira Stone Mirador (Viewpoint)
In the historic centre, there is the Statue of La Pola, Casa Museo de La Pola, the monument to José Antonio Galán, the Convent of La Soledad (seat of the municipal government), the Casa Ezpeleta and the Church of San Miguel Arcángel.
Guaduas is the birthplace of important Colombian figures, among them Policarpa Salavarrieta, La Pola (Guaduas, 1797 – Bogotá, 1817), patriot heroine, Francisco Javier Matís (Guaduas, 1774 – Bogotá, 1851), painter and botanist of the Botanical Expedition, among many others.
Policarpa Salavarrieta’s House
This simple building has two rooms, a kitchen, and a patio, furnished with items that reflect La Pola’s era. It preserves the memory of the heroine who gave her life for national independence.
Here are the preserved belongings of Policarpa and her family. This is the ideal place to pay homage to such an important heroine.
Policarpa Salavarrieta
Convent of La Soledad
On 13th December 1610, the construction of the Franciscan Angels’ Retreat, or Convent of La Soledad, began, which took 16 years to complete. Guaduas gradually developed around it and in more recent years, the mayor’s office operated from there. However, they had to move to another location due to the high level of deterioration of this heritage.
Guaduas Church by Edward Walhouse Mark, 1847
Patio del Moro Museum of Arts and Traditions
Take the tour through each of the rooms of this museum, where you can see different pieces of the colonial era, such as clothing, home accessories and the way of life of the inhabitants who long ago dwelt in the pueblo. This is an 18th century mansion that has preserved its original structure, both in the floors and in the woodwork and ceilings.
The patio with its period paving is particularly noteworthy.
Patio del Moro
Patio del Moro House
Cathedral of San Miguel Arcángel
Construction was started by the priest Justiniano Gutiérrez in 1809, based on the design and plans of Friar Domingo de Petrés. Its neoclassical façade, impeccably white, has made it one of the most recognisable images of Guaduas. A second tower was built between 1959 and 1962 by the parish priest at the time.
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Plaza de la Constitución is the hub of social and cultural life in Guaduas. A large water feature, built on the site of the original fountain that once supplied water to the pueblo, serves as the focal point.
Nearby, it is a sculpture by Silvano Cuéllar of the heroine Policarpa Salavarrieta, La Pola, born in Guaduas.
The most famous chickens in Colombia
In Guaduas, a visit to Julia Castillo’s workshop is a must. This artisan has gained national and international recognition thanks to the creation, in clay, of handmade collectible pieces for the kitchen and home, based on the figure of the Kika chicken.
The clay chickens from Artesanías Julia, Guaduas
Casa Real Restaurant
The mansion that now houses this renowned restaurant was built between the 17th and 18th centuries. It is known that it was probably here that cargo transiting the Camino Real was stored.
Bizcochería El Néctar is one of the most emblematic establishments in the municipality. Their cakes, desserts, snacks and drinks are prepared following the recipes of the founders of this establishment, which is a family heritage.
Gloria Bohórquez, one of its owners, highlights the fact that El Néctar has sweetened the lives of many generations of Guadueros.
“No matter where in the world they now live,” she says, “they always come back to this cake shop.”
El Néctar Biscuit Shop, founded in Guaduas in 1910, on a corner of the Plaza de la Constitución.
Salto de Versailles, an impressive tourist destination located in the department of Cundinamarca, is a true natural paradise that inspires its visitors through its majestic waterfall and exuberant surroundings.
Close to Guaduas, this natural wonder is part of a tropical landscape, where the San Francisco, El Guadual and Limonar rivers make their way through the rocks to create a waterfall more than 40m/131 feet high, creating an incredible spectacle of nature.
Surrounded by fabulous tropical vegetation, Salto de Versailles offers an absorbing experience for nature lovers, with spaces that invite you to explore the diverse flora and fauna of the region, permitting yourself to completely relax to the sound of water and the fresh mountain air.
In addition to its scenic beauty, Salto de Versailles provides opportunities for outdoor activities, from swimming in the natural pools that form beneath the waterfall to enjoying a day of picnicking on the banks of the river. It is a perfect retreat for those looking to escape the hectic life of Bogotá and reconnect with nature, offering a unique combination of adventure and tranquillity.
For travellers looking for an enriching experience in the middle of Colombian nature, Salto de Versailles presents itself as an essential destination that promises to leave a lasting impression.
Paragliding
You can spend a pleasant time for 30 or 45 minutes soaring the skies over the Magdalena River, with the most beautiful panoramic views.
Hiking
The beautiful natural surroundings of Guaduas are conducive to strolling and walking. BnB Colombia Tours can custom-plan a tour that includes Posada Corinto, a colonial-style house built next to the Camino Real and Loma Ventura, passing by the Milagros lagoon, which is highly recommended.
When you are by the lakeside, take two stones from the ground, make a wish with faith and throw one into the water. Retain the other as a personal talisman.
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Gastronomy
The gastronomy in La Villa de Guaduas is another reason to visit the pueblo. With an array of restaurants and cafes, you can enjoy traditional dishes including ajiaco, arepas and bandeja paisa, all accompanied by the warm hospitality of the pueblo’s inhabitants.
Ajiaco
Undoubtedly, one of the most traditional dishes of Cundinamarca, Ajiaco is a slightly thick chicken soup that has several types of potatoes. Added to it are corn and lastly cream and capers. Ajiaco is served with a portion of white rice and a slice of avocado.
Ajiaco
Fritango
A very typical dish of Cundinamarca is Fritango, which is totally delicious. Fritango is defined by its tremendous variety of textures and flavours. Made with creole potatoes, sabanera potatoes, chicken, yellow arepa, blood sausage, chorizo, beef, pork, yucca and plantain.
With a good spicy salsa, it is generally a dish to share with others.
Fritango
How to arrive in Guaduas
The road to Guaduas from both Bogotá and Medellín is in good condition for traveling by private vehicle. From the capital of Colombia, take Calle 80, passing through San Francisco, La Vega and Villeta. From Medellín, take the road to Honda and from there to Guaduas.
Using Public Transport from Bogotá
The easiest way is to take one of the many buses at the Salitre terminal.
From Medellín
One option is to take a bus from the Transport Terminal to Honda and from there another to Guaduas.
Expreso Brasilia offers non-stop bus service to Guaduas.
La Villa de Guaduas is a destination that offers a unique combination of history, culture and nature.
Should you be searching for a peaceful adventure to disconnect from life’s hustle and bustle or a chance encounter full of discoveries, then this pueblo in Cundinamarca has it.
Explore this delightful corner of Colombia full of charm and traditions.
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