Palacio de San Carlos (San Carlos Palace), Bogota

Palacio de San Carlos (San Carlos Palace), Bogota

The San Carlos Palace, a stunning 16th-century Neoclassical mansion, has witnessed pivotal political, social, and academic events and has housed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs since December 1993.

The palace's origins date back to 1585 when Archdeacon Francisco Porras Mejia constructed it in what was then Santa Fe de Bogota, the capital of the New Kingdom of Granada under the Viceroyalty of Peru. Initially a family home, it later became the Jesuit Colegio Seminario de San Bartolomé, founded by Archbishop Bartolomé Lobo Guerrero.

The palace housed Santa Fe's first printing press in 1739 and became the Royal Library and barracks after the Jesuits' expulsion in 1767. It served as Colombia's presidential residence from 1827 to 1908 and again from 1954 to 1980. On September 25, 1828, during the Noche Septembrina, Simon Bolivar narrowly escaped assassination, aided by his mistress Manuela Saenz. A plaque and the escape window commemorate this event.

The San Carlos Palace is built around a central courtyard adorned with Tuscan columns and pointed arches. Its façade preserves the original stone entrance, a balcony with iron railings, and rows of rectangular windows, including the one Bolivar famously used. In 1937, architect Pietro Cantini added a triple-storied eastern section and main entrance, complementing nearby landmarks such as the Christopher Columbus Theatre and the Rafael Pombo birthplace.

Inside, the palace boasts restored interiors and elegant staterooms. Highlights include Bolivar’s bedroom with a 17th-century bed and a bargueño desk, the Bolívar Room for official ceremonies, and the Francisco de Paula Santander Room with Italian damasks and 18th-century Spanish furniture. The Pompeian fresco by Santiago Martínez Delgado at the entrance to the staterooms adds a touch of artistic grandeur.

Declared a National Monument in 1975, the San Carlos Palace has been meticulously restored to host diplomatic events and display historical artifacts, including an 1863 Colombian flag and portraits of notable figures. Its gardens feature a walnut planted by Bolívar and a commemorative palm by President Jose Hilario Lopez, symbolizing Colombia's rich history and cultural heritage.

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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Palacio de San Carlos (San Carlos Palace) on Map

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Sight Name: Palacio de San Carlos (San Carlos Palace)
Sight Location: Bogota, Colombia (See walking tours in Bogota)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Bogota, Colombia

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Not far away from it...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles

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