Museo Nacional de Colombia (National Museum of Colombia), Bogota

Museo Nacional de Colombia (National Museum of Colombia), Bogota (must see)

The National Museum of Colombia (Museo Nacional de Colombia) is the country’s largest and oldest museum, located in the heart of Bogota’s downtown. Established in 1823, it stands as a testament to Colombia's rich history, art, and culture. The museum is managed by the Colombian Ministry of Culture and is housed in a historically significant building known as the Panoptico, originally constructed in 1874 by Thomas Reed.

The Panoptico, inspired by the design of the Panopticon prison, features fortress-style architecture with stone and brick elements. Its layout includes arches, domes, and columns arranged in a Greek cross design, surrounded by 104 prison cells and a solid façade. Initially serving as a prison until 1946, the building was repurposed as the National Museum in 1948 and underwent significant restoration in 1975.

The museum houses over 20,000 artifacts highlighting Colombia's archeological, historical, and artistic heritage. Permanent exhibitions explore Archeology and Ethnography, showcasing artifacts from 10,000 BC to the 20th century, including indigenous and Afro-Colombian traditions; History, with rooms focusing on colonial and liberation eras; and Art, featuring works by artists like Drbora Arango, and Fernando Botero, and Enrique Grau.

The National Museum of Colombia serves as a vibrant cultural hub, preserving and celebrating the nation's heritage while offering visitors a deep dive into its diverse and storied past.

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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Museo Nacional de Colombia (National Museum of Colombia) on Map

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Sight Name: Museo Nacional de Colombia (National Museum of Colombia)
Sight Location: Bogota, Colombia (See walking tours in Bogota)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery

Walking Tours in Bogota, Colombia

Create Your Own Walk in Bogota

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

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
Bogota Shopping Tour

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
Bogota Old Town Walking Tour

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

Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip


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Enjoying Onces in Bogota

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