Travel through the heart of historic Bogotá and make your way to the Catedral Primada de Colombia (Primary Cathedral of Colombia), an imposing edifice that towers over the Plaza Bolívar. The cathedral’s dramatic architecture is matched by its considerable historical pedigree. Head inside to appreciate the building’s classic interiors and to see the fêted tombs of some prominent past Colombians.
The Catedral Primada stands on the site of Bogotá’s first ever church, a humble thatched-roof chapel built by Spanish conquistadores in 1538. The structure was rebuilt a number of times on account of weak foundations or damage sustained from the region’s numerous earthquakes. Nowadays the cathedral is the largest in all of Colombia, and its grand 19th-century neoclassical façade cuts a memorable figure against the dreamy backdrop of Monserrate mountain.
Enter through a pair of grand doors and take in the remarkable design of the cathedral’s interior. The Catedral Primara has eschewed the more audacious architecture that prevails in Bogotá’s other churches, most notably in the Church of San Francisco. Instead, the minimally decorated cathedral is dominated by plain white Egyptian columns.
A number of chapels are housed within the cathedral. Head to the chapel dedicated to Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, which is home to a number of important tombs. The final resting places of military leader Antonio Nariño, illustrious painter Gregorio Vásquez de Arce y Ceballos, and Bogotá’s founder Gonzalo Jiménez de Queseda can all be found in this chapel.
The Catedral Primada de Colombia is open daily with the exception of Mondays. Visit the cathedral’s official website for opening times and information about events. It is still in use as a place of worship, so make sure to dress respectfully and remain silent during your visit.
Located on the northeastern side of Plaza de Bolívar in historic Bogotá, the cathedral is walking distance from a number of other attractions in the La Candelaria district, including the Casa de Moneda and the Botero Museum. It is easily accessible by bus and metered parking is available at the nearby Luis Ángel Arango Library.
