Torre Colpatria (Colpatria Tower), Bogota
The Colpatria Tower (Torre Colpatria) is a 50-story skyscraper located in the heart of Bogota. Standing at 196 meters (643 feet) tall, it was constructed between 1973 and 1978 and officially opened in 1979. For nearly 40 years, it held the title of the tallest building in Colombia until 2016, when the BD Bacata South Tower surpassed it. Today, it is the fourth tallest building in the country.
As a hub for financial activities, the Colpatria Tower houses the main headquarters of the Colpatria Bank, along with offices of other banks and financial corporations. Its strategic downtown location underscores its importance to Bogotá's business landscape.
The tower's design features a square base and a facade characterized by concrete pilasters and vertical glazing bars. These elements stretch unbroken from the ground level to the roof, providing natural light and ventilation to the interior offices. The surrounding complex includes a separate ten-story building, designed to contrast with the tower's imposing height. The area also includes commercial banking offices and ample parking facilities.
Since 1998, the Colpatria Tower has been illuminated every night, initially with 36 Xenon lights. In 2012, Philips upgraded the lighting system to a 120-meter (390-foot) high LED setup, capable of projecting high-definition images. This modern illumination has enhanced its visibility and iconic status in Bogotá's skyline, where it stands alongside other landmarks such as the BD Bacatá, the World Trade Center, and the FONADE and Colseguros buildings.
One of the tower's most popular features is its observation deck on the 49th floor, which is open to visitors on weekends and holidays. Offering panoramic views of Bogotá, it has become one of the city's most renowned observatories, attracting locals and tourists alike.
Since 2005, a tower running race has been held annually on December 8, challenging participants to climb the 980 steps to the top. Competitors start in groups of ten, with each group setting off at 30-second intervals. The current record stands at an impressive 5 minutes and 11 seconds.
As a hub for financial activities, the Colpatria Tower houses the main headquarters of the Colpatria Bank, along with offices of other banks and financial corporations. Its strategic downtown location underscores its importance to Bogotá's business landscape.
The tower's design features a square base and a facade characterized by concrete pilasters and vertical glazing bars. These elements stretch unbroken from the ground level to the roof, providing natural light and ventilation to the interior offices. The surrounding complex includes a separate ten-story building, designed to contrast with the tower's imposing height. The area also includes commercial banking offices and ample parking facilities.
Since 1998, the Colpatria Tower has been illuminated every night, initially with 36 Xenon lights. In 2012, Philips upgraded the lighting system to a 120-meter (390-foot) high LED setup, capable of projecting high-definition images. This modern illumination has enhanced its visibility and iconic status in Bogotá's skyline, where it stands alongside other landmarks such as the BD Bacatá, the World Trade Center, and the FONADE and Colseguros buildings.
One of the tower's most popular features is its observation deck on the 49th floor, which is open to visitors on weekends and holidays. Offering panoramic views of Bogotá, it has become one of the city's most renowned observatories, attracting locals and tourists alike.
Since 2005, a tower running race has been held annually on December 8, challenging participants to climb the 980 steps to the top. Competitors start in groups of ten, with each group setting off at 30-second intervals. The current record stands at an impressive 5 minutes and 11 seconds.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Bogota. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Torre Colpatria (Colpatria Tower) on Map
Sight Name: Torre Colpatria (Colpatria Tower)
Sight Location: Bogota, Colombia (See walking tours in Bogota)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Sight Location: Bogota, Colombia (See walking tours in Bogota)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Walking Tours in Bogota, Colombia
Create Your Own Walk in Bogota
Creating your own self-guided walk in Bogota is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Architectural Jewels
Bogota, Colombia, is quite a city for an architectural experience. Attentive to the local historical heritage, the city has managed to preserve in full splendor most of its colonial buildings.
One such gem is the Palace (or House) of Nariño, the official residence of the President of Colombia. Its grandeur and historical significance make it a prominent landmark.
Not far away from it... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles
One such gem is the Palace (or House) of Nariño, the official residence of the President of Colombia. Its grandeur and historical significance make it a prominent landmark.
Not far away from it... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles
Bogota Old Town Walking Tour
In 1538, the indigenous Muisca of the Colombian Altiplano had the advantage in numbers over the force of conquistador Gonzalo Jimenez de Quesada. Arriving in the Muisca Federation, the Spanish had only 162 exhausted men. However, the guecha warriors of Chief Tisquesusa were no match. The Federation fell in bloody battle.
In the area now known as Quevedo's Fountain Square, Quesada set up 12... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles
In the area now known as Quevedo's Fountain Square, Quesada set up 12... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles
Bogota Shopping Tour
Colombia is known for its gold and emeralds, recognizable national clothing, pottery, accessories, and other crafts. The country's capital Bogota is so rich in authentic shopping that it's almost mind-boggling to decide what to buy first and most importantly, where to buy it at the best possible price!
Start your quest at Pasaje Rivas Market, Bogota's oldest marketplace, offering... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Start your quest at Pasaje Rivas Market, Bogota's oldest marketplace, offering... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
Enjoying Onces in Bogota
Elevenses, on the surface, seem to be a particularly British tradition, a break for something light and sweet between breakfast and lunch, a time to gossip, a time to catch up, a time just to be. Lo and behold, Colombia somewhere along the line adapted this tradition in a particularly Latin fashion....
18 Uniquely Columbian Things to Buy in Bogota
To those who understand Russian, the word "Bogota" sounds very similar to the one translating as "rich". And, indeed, the city does live up to this name connotation in terms of peculiar things worth exploring in addition to coca, coffee and emeralds. Here's the longer list...