PLAZA DE BOLÍVAR

Plaza Bolívar is the historical, political, cultural and religious heart of the country. It was built on the site of the first twelve houses in Bogotá, dedicated to the twelve apostles. Respecting the strict rules of architecture imposed by the Spanish Crown, the Plaza Mayor is dominated by the statue of Simón Bolívar, created in 1846 by the Italian sculptor Pietro Tenerani. To the south of the square stands the neoclassical Capitol Nacional, built between 1847 and 1925. It is the seat of Congress. Opposite it on the other side of the square is the Palacio de Justicia. This modern building replaced the former Palace of Justice, which was destroyed by army tanks in 1985, following its occupation by an M-19 guerrilla commando. On the east side, the majestic Cathedral and the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament, as well as the Casa del Florero. On the west side, the Palacio Liévano, home to the town hall. This large, bustling square is a regular venue for political and cultural events. At dawn on June 5, 2016, in temperatures of 8°C, over 6,000 people stripped naked to pose for the lens of North American photographer Spencer Tunik (video of the event, which brought together ex-guerrillas, ex-paramilitaries and ex-militaries, is available on YouTube: "Johnnie Walker & Mambo enable Spencer Tunick and a moment of Colombian unity"). More recently, in September 2017, Pope Francis came here to bless 22,000 young Colombians.