Bogota Old Town Walking Tour (Self Guided), Bogota

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 reed houses and a church. He called the nascent city, "Our Lady of Hope." By 1575 the city was the capital of the Vice Royalty of New Granada.

Start a walking tour of old Bogota in the historic neighborhood of La Candelaria. Bolivar Square, the heart of the Bogota Old Town (also known as La Candelaria), holds the Primate Cathedral of Colombia, founded in 1539 by Gonzalo Jimenez de Quesada himself. The district of La Candelaria is named for the chapel of the Virgin of La Candelaria.

The old town is filled with colonial and republican style houses preserved and declared historical assets. Many have become theaters, like La Candelaria, Seki Sano, El Tecal, and Garcia Marquez. The best museums are here: Colonial, del Florero, Museum of Gold, Casa de la Moneda, Quinta de Bolivar, and the Botero Museum.

The Botero Museum has over 100 pieces by Colombian painter Fernando Botero and celebrated artists like Renoir, Monet, Degas, Picasso and Miro. The Luis Angel Library holds two million books and a vast art collection with works by Colombian and European artists. The Santa Clara Museum has Baroque and religious art of the 17th and 18th centuries.

What is a walking tour without food? La Puerta Falsa, founded by a fight with a priest, is the oldest restaurant in the city. Falsa has tamales extraordiaire, ajiacos, sweet deserts and legendary Santa Fe chocolate drinks. Casa Vieja, La Scala and Origen Bistro should also not be missed.

The cobbled streets of Bogota old town are filled murals, art and culture. Here one may fall in love with incomparable Bogota.