On August 6, 1538, the missionary Friar Domingo de las Casas offered the first mass to the conquistadors. Services were held in a humble chapel of mud and straw. The place of worship was called Our Lady of Hope. A banner used on that day can be seen in the place where the first stones were laid for the construction of the Primate Cathedral of Colombia in Bolivar Square in Bogota.

The Primate Cathedral is made up of a Classical basilica plan in the form of a Latin Cross that occupies an area of 5,300 square meters. It has five naves; a central nave, two side naves, and two others for the chapels. There are 12 chapels, six on each side nave. The lantern and dome are over the transept. The dome is supported by four indigo-blue pendentives decorated with tongues of flame.

The front of the Cathedral has a lower part of eight Corinthian pilasters high as the architrave, frieze, and cornice. There are eight Ionic pilasters in the second part. There are three doors with sculptures. Saint Peter is on one door, Saint Paul on the other, and the Immaculate Conception with two angels is on the center door.

The facade is finished with a marble slab on the lintel of the main entrance, bearing the name of Friar Domingo de Petres, Capuchin. There are two towers, each 171 feet high. The towers are made in three sections with four sides. There are bells in the middle sections. The north tower has a clock.

Casa de Nariño (Spanish for House of Nariño) or Palacio de Nariño (Spanish for Palace of Nariño) is the official home and principal workplace of the President of Colombia. It houses the main office of the executive branch and is located in the capital city of Bogotá. In 1908, it was dedicated after being constructed on the site of the house where Antonio Nariño was born. The design was made by architects Gaston Lelarge, a French-born former pupil of Charles Garnier, and Julián Lombana. In 1980, the structure was rededicated after the construction of additions. The palace also houses works of art and furnishings from different years. Its garden houses the Observatorio Astronómico de Bogotá, designed by the Capuchin friar-architect Fray Domingo de Petrés and built in 1802-03.

The Pasaje Rivas is the oldest marketplace in Bogota, with more than 120 years of history. Not actually a centre, it is rather a labyrinth of narrow passageways and crooked corridors, where you can find loads of crafts, handmade furniture, dishes, hammocks, ruanas, leather clothes and pieces made of bamboo, all at really low prices. Pasaje Rivas is not considered very touristy, but it is very authentic to Bogota, where bargaining is acceptable. The Passage is located in the middle of the block, at the intersection of Carrera 10 and Calle 10.

In 1537, Gonzalo Jimenez de Quesada, a Spanish explorer and conqueror in northern South America, defeated Tisquesusa, the fourth and last independent ruler of the southern Muisca Federation. In 1538 Gonzalo Jimenez founded the City of Bogota, the capital of the New Kingdom of Granada, currently known as Colombia. A year after the foundation of the Colombian capital, the Spaniards built their first cathedral on a corner of the main square of Bogota, known today as Bolivar Square.

Bolivar Square was the civic center of Old Bogota. Circuses, cultural and religious events, and bullfights were popular manifestations here. The Royal Appellate Court, a Jesuit school, the Holy Chapel, and the Viceroyalty Palace were built during the colonial period. The Primary Cathedral was built in 1823 by friar architect Domingo de Petres.

The Bolivar Square hosts an imposing statue of Simon Bolivar, a Venezuelan soldier, and statesman who played a central role in the South American independence movement. The statue was sculpted by Italian artist Pietro Tenerani in 1846 and was the first public monument in the city. The square is bordered by Street 10 in the south and Steet 11 in the north. The Avenue 7 and 8 are on the east and west sides respectively.

Nowadays, the square is surrounded by historical buildings such as the Palace of Justice with the Supreme Court; the National Capitol, the seat of Congress; the Liévano Palace, the seat of the mayor; the Vase House also known as the Museum of the 20th July, site of the Call for Independence in 1810.

Bolívar Square is the main tourist attraction in Bogotá and the site for various manifestations and protests. Bolívar Square is declared a national monument in October 1995.

The name of the restaurant La Puerta Falsa is translated as the false door. Locals began to call the increasingly popular eatery “the place near the false door,” referring to a false door set into the side of the Primate Cathedral, situated across the snack shop. Eventually, it simply became La Puerta Falsa. The history of False Door Restaurant started with a fight. Two hundred years ago, a priest, Friar Juan Bautista, was organizing the July festival of the Virgin of Carmen. It was an honor to be chosen to help. The priest failed to invite the help of the wrong woman.

The woman's name is lost. She is known today only as La Chozna, which means great-great-great-granddaughter. Insulted by the priest's oversight, she had her husband buy a property near the cathedral. She moved in and opened an eating place for the festival workers, drawing them away from Friar Bautista's long boring sermons.

Today, False Door Restaurant is still operated by the descendants of La Chozna. The restaurant is a tight little two-story space that can barely seat twenty diners at once. The narrow street door requires patrons to enter in single file. The ground floor is always crowded. There is tight seating on a balcony at the back.

The restaurant, located near the Primate Cathedral on Street 11, number 6-50, serves "a taste of grandmother's kitchen." For breakfast, a "tamale", spiced rice, and chicken in a banana leaf. The hot chocolate, "Santafereno", with bread and dipping cheese should not be overlooked. Lunch may be ajiaco stew, also with bread, dipping cheese, and two eggs. The tamales are legendary. This tiny restaurant has been serving traditional tamales for more than 200 years.

La Candelaria is the 17th locality of Bogotá. A historic neighborhood in the city's downtown, it is the equivalent to the Old City in other cities. The architecture of the old houses, churches and buildings has Spanish Colonial, Baroque and art deco styles. It houses several universities, libraries and museums.

It is made up of the neighborhoods La Catedral, La Concordia, Las Aguas, Centro Administrativo, Egipto, Belén, San Francisco Rural, Nueva Santa Fe and Santa Bárbara. The city was founded there on August 6, 1538 and the first church was built, this town encompasses the historic center of Bogotá, as well as an important tourist, educational and commercial center.

Teusaquillo (today Chorro de Quevedo) was a resting place for the Muisca ruler called Zipa. It is believed that in this place Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada founded, on August 6, 1538, what would become the City of Bogotá. The town takes its name from the colonial Church of Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria.

In La Candelaria is the site of the formal foundation of the city, the Plaza Mayor known today as Plaza de Bolívar. Around it are the Capitolio Nacional (seat of the Congress of Colombia), the Palace of Justice (seat of the Supreme Court of Justice), the Palacio Liévano (seat of the Mayor's Office of Bogotá), the Primatial Cathedral of Bogotá, the Chapel del Sagrario and the Archbishop's Palace (seat of the Archbishop "Cardinal seat").

In addition to the Capitolio and the Palace of Justice, other important seats of national power located in the place are the Casa de Nariño (seat of the Presidency of the Republic and presidential residence), and the Palacio de San Carlos (seat of the Chancellery or Ministry of International Relations).

Also known as the Third Temple, the church is considered a jewel of colonial religious architecture in Bogota. Some say that the name "The Third" is because of the three churches located in that region: San Francisco, La Veracruz and La Tercera, but in fact its name comes from the founders of the Franciscan Third Order Secular. Its construction began in 1760 and was completed between 1774 and 1780, according to Daniel Ortega and Ricaurte.

Since 1934 the Bank of Republic has played an active role in the protection of the archeological treasures of Colombia. The first object of art in the collection supported by the bank was the poporo quimbaya.

The poporo is a utensil used by the indigenous people to store bits of lime derived from seashells. The lime was chewed with coca leaves, as a sacred ritual of the first people. The poporos are credited with spiritual power and social status. The poporo quimbaya has become famous and is now an important part of Colombian cultural identity.

The museum houses the Muisca Golden Raft. Found in Pasca in 1969, the raft was used in the coronation of a new Ruler of the Muisca federation. As of 2008, after renovation, the museum had organized five rooms for golden objects and an auditorium. There is also a cafe, a restaurant, and a souvenir shop.

The museum currently has about 55,000 pieces with nearly 6,000 on display. Many of these items were used in the daily life or sacred rituals of indigenous peoples like the Muisca and Tayrona. On the first floor are the main reception hall, the shop, and the restaurant. The exhibitions are on the second and third floors. The second floor is titled "People and Gold in pre-Hispanic Colombia." The halls are dedicated to different cultures and civilizations, such as Calima, Quimbaya, Muisca, Zenu, Tierrandentro, San Agustin, Tolima, Tairona, and Uraba. There is one room called "After Columbus."

The third-floor exposition takes off in a different direction. Shamanism is represented by the "Flying Shamanic" and "the Offering." In the Profunditation Room, at the end of the exhibit, are shown videos about the most important pieces on display. Almost all the exhibits are in English and Spanish.

The museum is located on Avenue 6, number 15-82. It is open Tuesday to Saturday from 9 am to 6 pm, and on Sundays from 10 am to 4 pm. Touring the whole museum will take about four hours.

In 1538, Conquistador Gonzalo Jimenez de Quesada founded Bogota. It was here at Quevedo's Fountain Square where the ruler of the Muisca people would take in the view of the vast Bogota savanna. In 1832, the Augustinian priest, Father Quevedo, bought the site and built a fountain. The current fountain replaced the original, destroyed in 1896.

In the fountain square, there is a plain white chapel. It is called the Hermitage of San Miguel del Principe. It replaced the very first chapel of Bogota. The church steps have figures by artist Javier Olave in tribute to the local "lunatics," who were casualties of the era of violence.

The square is cobbled. It is much smaller than Bolivar Square and has a distinctly different and bohemian atmosphere. It is always filled with performers, students, and visitors. Narrow alleyways lead off the square. "Chicha," an alcoholic beverage of the ancient Muiscasis, is served here. Street art is everywhere.

The Bottleneck Alley is named for its shape. It tapers inwardly as one moves along. The lane is cobbled, and the walls close in with overwhelming wall paintings and prize-winning graffiti. There is a high concentration of pre-Colombian style art. The murals often reflect resistance to the right-wing establishments of the Church and State.

Besides the vibrant street art, there are also small restaurants and cafes. From Quevedo's Fountain Square head down the alleyway on the right, facing the church of the Hermitage of San Miguel. The Casa Galeria (Gallery House) offers a variety of cakes and great coffee. Gallery House is also a hotel. It has an attractive courtyard and an ideal rest stop.

Special tours are available for La Candelaria, including Embudo Street's incredible street art and visits to alternative shops, bars, and vintage stores. If all la Candelaria were like this, the effect would be magical.

Artesanias de Colombia is the most popular and promoted Colombian craft brand. There are three shops in Bogota, the main one of which is located next door to Iglesia de las Aguas. Artesanias de Colombia offers a spectacular collection of national crafts, with much attention to quality and style, so you won't find any fast-buy, kitch items you might run into in other such places. The range of products covers everything: national garments and modern clothes with an ethnic twist, pottery, baskets, woodwork, bags, belts, hats, bracelets, handmade jewelery, embroideries and many more. Artesanias de Colombia is going international.

What to buy here: Chamba pottery & Mochilas.

- From a village in the department of Tolima, Chamba is black clay pottery. It is simple, rustic, and elegant. Chamba has even caught the attention of stores like Crate and Barrel, bringing Colombian rustic chic to smart dinner tables everywhere. You can go all out with plates, cute tinto cups and saucers, serving dishes, but maybe just a few soup bowls would do. If you ever happen to be in Bogota in December, an excellent place to go to actually get to know the artisans who make their living creating Chamba pottery is Expoartesanías – the massive handicraft fair at the Corferias fairgrounds. While knick-knack shops do sell chamba ware, it may be best to go to an Artesanías de Colombia store which sells top-quality chamba, although for a higher price. Artesanías de Colombia is, by the way, the organizer of the Expoartesanías event. Made of clay, chamba is of course quite fragile, so take care when packing it in your luggage.

- Mochilas are hand-woven, cotton or woolen handbags, some with very colorful designs. The best are made by the Wayuu Indians and are so sturdy and tightly woven that they claim you can carry water in them. No doubt during your visit to Bogotá you will see students, hipsters and even workers in suits with a mochila slung over their shoulder. As with other handicrafts described here, you can spend a little or a lot on mochilas, with the best quality and most original ones costing upwards of $150. To find these, again it is recommended to visit an Artesanías de Colombia store, or go to the Expoartesanías fair in December, when the indigenous craftspeople converge on Bogota to sell their extraordinary wares. Mostly coming from the Caribbean Coast area these artisans can tell you the significance of the geometric designs of the mochilas and you may even be able to meet the person who wove yours. While you can find cheap mochilas in tourist markets downtown it’s best to go for the quality at Artesanías de Colombia.

Artesanías de Colombia is located at Las Aguas church downtown (their main offices): Carrera 2 No. 18A – 58.

The Teleferico is a cable car that communicates with Monserrate Hill. It was built in 1955 to service the growing number of worshipers who rose to the Sanctuary of Monserrate. Designed by the Swiss company Von Roll, it has a bi-cable mode, with two cabins that carry 40 passengers each. The height difference is from 2692 m up to 3152, with a distance of 880 m that can be done in 7 minutes. During the 50 years of service there were no accidents, which proves it to be a very safe mode of transport. The busiest days are Fridays, mobilizing around 35,000 people. The cable car operates from Monday to Saturday from 12 am to 12 pm and Sundays and holidays from 5:30 am to 6 pm. The Funicular is older, having been opened in 1929, and is faster than the teleferico, which takes only 4 minutes. On its way it passes two bridges and a tunnel. It operates Mon to Sat from 7:40 am to 11:40 am and Sundays and holidays from 5:30 am to 6 pm. Both teleferico and funicular offer panoramic views of Bogota.

The Sanctuary of Monserrate in the hills of Bogota is visible from any point in the city below. It is more than 10,000 feet above sea level at the peak of Cerro de las Nieves ("Peak of Snows"). Often covered by mountain mists, the sanctuary may be reached by a steep two-mile path. For the less hardy, there are a funicular and a cable car.

The shrine of Our Lady of Monserrate has been a goal of religious pilgrims since 1620. The shrine holds the image of the Fallen Lord of Monserrate. It is a miraculous figure. It has been claimed that the statue grows heavy if anyone tries to take it down to the city. It was made in 1640 by artist Pedro de Lugo Albarracin.

The main attraction at the top is the Basilica Sanctuary of Monserrate. The basilica is filled with sculptures dating from the colonial period. Behind the sanctuary is a large square featuring handicrafts and souvenirs. There are restaurants for hungry climbers. Bogota treats include hot chocolate, tamales, soups, and coffees.

On top of Monserrate are the lush gardens and flower displays surrounding the Well of Wishes. One coin is good for one wish. All wishes are secret. There are stunning views of Bogota and the Guadeloupe Hill. The sunsets are memorable, and the views of the city at night are spectacular.

The Monserrate funicular operates Monday to Friday from 6:30 am to 11:45 am. On Saturdays, it runs until 4:30 pm. Senior citizens get a discount rate, but one must have an identity card. The Cable car is open from Monday to Saturday from 12 pm to 11:30 pm. On Sundays, cars are available from 10 am to 4:30 pm.

The Monserrate Market is located right behind the church's backyard and you can reach it through a welcoming white archway. There are dozens of stalls selling all kinds of souvenirs and national food, all lined up along a narrow street. You might find some very interesting things like handmade jewelry, traditional garments, bags, sombreros, etc. There are also many food stalls offering chocolate covered coffee beans, hot chocolate and more commonly fried cheese pastries. The Monserrate Market is a true minglepot of touristy kitsch and valuable traditional Colombian merchandise. The prices are rather high.