ROCK PAINTINGS SIERRA DE SAN FRANCISCO

The Sierra de San Francisco is a mountain range with a dry, desert climate: in summer a hot sun and in winter a rather cool climate. The oldest ranchos in the sierra date from the mid-19th century and are dedicated to extensive goat breeding and cheese making. The entire sierra is home to some 300 rock painting and petroglyph sites and has been recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. According to legend, these paintings, some of which are immense, were made by giants! More likely, they are the work of the Gatchimis. The sierra was inhabited until the 17th century by this indigenous people, who gradually disappeared after having occupied the area for ten thousand years. The testimonies of the Jesuit missionaries who settled in the area in the 18th century allow us to know more about the way of life of the members of this tribe. According to research, some of these paintings are over 7,000 years old, while the most recent ones date from the 18th century. The sites are classified according to their degree of difficulty of access; you can reach some of them in a few hours of walking. For other, more extensive excursions, you need to be in good physical condition to endure the several-day mule ride, but both the scenery and the sites are well worth the effort. The sites are accessible from San Francisco or Santa Marta.