Museo de Bogota (Bogota Museum), Bogota

The Bogota Museum serves as the city museum of Colombia's capital, celebrating its rich history and urban development. Located in the historic La Candelaria neighborhood, the museum operates from two headquarters, housing a diverse collection of over 24,000 objects. This extensive collection includes the most significant archive of historical photography of Bogota, detailed city plans, and iconic artifacts such as ballot boxes, a tram, and the statue of Gonzalo Jimenez de Quesada, which was famously toppled during the 2021 social mobilizations by the Misak community.

The museum traces its origins to 1969 during the mayoralty of Virgilio Barco Vargas when the Museum of Urban Development was established in a large house on 10th Street in La Candelaria. Its inaugural exhibition featured 10 rooms highlighting Bogota's history, from its founding to Mayor Barco’s key contributions. The collection grew to include treasures such as a mule tram, the Centenary Urn, antique telephones, early firefighting equipment, wooden architectural models, and historical city plans.

However, structural challenges marked the museum's evolution. It relocated to the Casa de los Comuneros in 1989, only to close in 1995 due to deterioration. In 2000, the museum resumed activities at the District Planetarium with the temporary exhibition “Bogota 20th Century.” By 2003, it was renamed the Museum of Bogota, reflecting a broader mission to explore the city as a dynamic social and cultural network, beyond its urban and architectural heritage.

Since 2006, the museum has been managed by the District Institute of Cultural Heritage (IDPC), which continues to oversee its operations. Today, the Bogota Museum stands as a vital cultural institution, offering insight into the historical, social, and cultural layers of the city through its remarkable collections and exhibitions.