Cultural and architectural tradition of Popayán

Latin America has wonderful destinations and Colombia concentrates some of the best. For example, Popayán, one of the oldest and best preserved cities in colonial America. It has a very important architectural and cultural legacy.

The historical case of Popayán will amaze you, but it is also a city with excellent, varied and tasty cuisine so we can say that once you visit it it will leave you with the best memories. Today in Absolut Viajes, rich cultural and architectural tradition of Popayán ...

Popayán

This Colombian city it is in the department of Cauca, between the Western and Central Cordillera, in the west of the country. Is a very seismic zone and the city has suffered many earthquakes so there is a permanent conservation work on its great building legacy.

The Cauca River crosses it and enjoys a rather temperate climate although, today, like many other parts of the world affected by climate change, it has the occasional sweltering summer day.

The history of Popayán does not begin with the colony, of course. Has a prehispanic history what has he bequeathed pyramidal constructions, roads and tombs. The Spanish founded Popayán in January 1537, in search of El Dorado. It was done by Adelantado Belalcázar, the same one who founded Quito and Santiago de Cali in his search for wealth.

From then on the city, although it retained its indigenous name, would be transformed into a typically colonial city that followed Spanish administrative parameters. It then had bailiffs, councils, mayors, a church ...

Although the Spanish would bring seeds and cattle to these lands, the truth is that soon everything revolved around the gold and its exploitation. Thus, Popayán became one of the most important and richest cities of the Viceroyalty of New Granada. Gold and the slave trade were the keys to the city's wealth.

At one point, Popayán competed with other important colonial cities such as Cartagena or Bogotá. The wealth of local families led to real mansions being built and also invested in religious art of all kinds. All this makes up the cultural and architectural treasure of today.

Popayán, the white city

This is how it is known, Popayán, white city. The truth is that it has managed to maintain, despite time, political upheavals and earthquakes, many of its old buildings. His historic helmet It is beautiful: it has manor houses, cobbled streets, patios with flowers, sober temples and everything painted a snowy white It almost makes it immaculate. A great example of American colonial style.

Popayán it is only three hours from Cali going by car and is thus one of the most popular tourist destinations. First things first: its historic center, ideal for exploring on foot so you can appreciate the beautiful architecture of the XNUMXth, XNUMXth and XNUMXth centuries. Here is the Caldas Park, the heart of the city from which it grew. It is in its surroundings that are the beautiful colonial buildings ...

From the XNUMXth century is the beautiful Clock Tower, also known as «the nose of Popayán». The clock is made of bronze and it is a piece brought exclusively from London. There is also the Humilladero Bridge, from where the view of the city is great, which at the same time connects the center with the northern suburbs. It is 240 meters long and marks the original entrance to the city.

It was built in the middle of the XNUMXth century and today it is an icon, just steps from the main square. It's next to Bridge of the Custody, a beautiful stone bridge that was built in 1713 to allow priests to cross the river Molino.

Walking you will see many cafes, shops and restaurants and of course, religious temples. The Iglesia de San Francisco It is the largest colonial temple and it is really beautiful. You can do the tour with a guide, to learn more about the building. After an earthquake that occurred in 1983, the ossuary broke and revealed six mummified bodies. Today there are only two left and they cannot always be seen, but with the tour you may be lucky. Around the corner there is another church and so you will see many more.

E.g., the oldest church in the city dates from 1546 and is known as La Ermita. It is between El Morro and downtown and it is not the most beautiful of all but it has good views of the orange colonial roofs and beautiful old frescoes.

Of course, a century-old city has museums. The Guillermo Valencia Museum It operates in an elegant XNUMXth century mansion and has paintings, furniture and old photographs that belonged to its owner, a local poet.

Another museum is the Mosquera House Museum, also in an XNUMXth century mansion that used to be the home of General Tomas Cipriano de Mosquera, president of Colombia four times during the XNUMXth century. And they say that on a wall there is an urn with his heart ...

El Archdiocesan Museum of Religious Art includes paintings, statues, silverware, altars, and assorted religious art, all dating from the XNUMXth to XNUMXth century. There is also the Museum of Natural History, in the fields of the university, the best museum of its kind in Colombia.

The truth is that Popayán is a city to explore on foot, without haste and with a thousand pauses. Your steps will take you from here to there, between mansions, patios with a thousand flowers, white facades and restaurants from which incredible aromas emerge. Thus, going around, you will reach the panoramic point of the city where the statue of its founder, Sebastián de Belalcázar, is opportunely placed on the top of what was an ancient pyramid, that of The Morro de Tulcán.

If you have a sunny and clear day, you will be able to see even beyond the Old Town of Popayán and appreciate the beautiful mountains that embrace it. It takes a breath and a half to climb up here, but you can't leave without seeing everything from this vantage point up high.

As we said at the beginning, the city also offers one of the best gastronomies in Colombia so you can't leave without trying their dishes. The most popular local dish is Bandeja Paisa, with rice, fried eggs, golden pork, bananas and avocados. A delight! And of course, the classics arepas they are not lacking either.

A good place to eat is La Fresca, a small shop that is a few meters from the main square and that is one of the oldest and best known. It doesn't say much at first glance, but their pipian empanaditas are a delicacy (stuffed with potatoes with spicy peanut sauce).

Getaways from Popayán

If your intention is to stay more than one day in Popayán then there are some visits you can do. For example, you can approach San Agustín and know its pre-Columbian site which is protected by the UNESCO.

There is also the Purace National Park, the largest in the region. It has a volcano with an eternally snowy top, it gives the park its name, and if you like climbing or hiking this is the best destination. Otherwise, you can also go by bus on an unpaved road but enjoying wonderful views, with hot springs, mist and waterfalls. And with luck, you will see a condor from the Andes.

One hour from Popayán is Silvia, a small mountain town very famous because every week there is a indigenous market. The appointment is Tuesdays. That day the Guambiano people arrive from the villages and reserves around to sell and buy products. You can also sign up for a little jeep trip to those same villages, to get to know them or have lunch at a farm.

Do you like hot springs? Then you can go to Coconuco Thermal Baths, one step away from Popayán. It has two different pools, boiling water and warm water, and if you have been climbing the Purace then this may be the best ending for your body and mind.