La Candelaria | christopher burke colombia

This is from my book, 40 Bogotá. Enjoy! Our Piedra Bogotana is special.

Bogotá Stone/ Piedra Bogotana

Your first impression of Bogotá may be surprise that it is a city of brick. Most of us don’t come to a major South American city thinking that we are going to find a use of brick equal to London’s. But Bogotá loves its brick.

You will gradually become aware, however, that Bogotá is in fact as much defined by its native limestone, locally called Piedra Bogotana or Piedra Muñeca, as it is by its multi-colored brick. Most of Bogotá’s iconic buildings are clad in Piedra Bogotana. As you wander about the city, you will find that the Cathedral, the Congress Building, the Héroes Monument and pretty much any other representative Bogotá building is outfitted in Piedra Bogotana. Piedra Bogotana is so prevalent that many Bogotanos take it for granted, oblivious to the daily richness that surrounds them.

For you, the visitor, it’s fun as you go about town to note the layered definitions of time with which Piedra Bogotana endows the city.

This is from my book 40 Bogotá. Enjoy!

Museo Iglesia Santa Clara

At times, it can seem that La Candelaria has a museum on every block, and sometimes two or three, one after the other. Many, if not most (if not all!), of these museums are worth visiting. However, if you find yourself in Bogotá for just a limited time, you will want or have to pick and choose among your museums. No matter how you choose, be sure you leave yourself time to visit the Santa Clara Church Museum, just a block away from the Plaza de Bolivar. If you like, you can arrange a private or group tour beforehand by calling 341 6017 ext.16 or by sending an email to museocolonial@mincultura.gov.co or varce@mincultura.gov.co.

The church was built in the middle of the seventeenth century for the Sisters of Saint Clare and once you enter this space you are simply going to be wowed! No matter that you may not be a fan of religious art, here in the Museo Iglesia Santa Clara with such a quantity of devotional art on view in situ, chances are that you will be impressed. The gold leaf is stunning and the art here gives clues as to the meaning of life as it was once lived in Bogotá. What more can you ask?

Nothing is perfect in life. Though, in this life, the Museo Iglesia de Santa Clara comes pretty close.
El Museo Iglesia Santa Clara. Carrera 8, # 8-91. (571) 337 6762
http://www.museoiglesiasantaclara.gov.co/