By the third decade of the sixteenth century, began the foundation of cities. Land was distributed among the conquerors, is organized exploitation of salt mines, gold and emeralds and the advent of Christianity. With the arrival of the Spanish and the arrival of Africans brought as slaves, was consolidated miscegenation.
A few hours from Cartagena de Indias is Mompox, port on the Magdalena River which became the center of commerce and stately villa. Its architecture was notable works as the Church of Santa Barbara or the College Pinillos.
The capital of the viceroyalty was established in Bogotá, the headquarters of the Spanish government and high hierarchy. In the neighborhood of La Candelaria and around houses and temples are preserved to keep their treasures. Many of these buildings have become museums where you can appreciate the art and culture of our ancestors.
Tunja, Popayan and preserved colonial neighborhoods full of charm: keep churches Baroque altarpieces covered in gold foil and narrow streets, quiet squares and stately homes feel that time has elapsed.
The strategic position of Cartagena de Indias, the main slave market of South America, made the city was coveted by English privateers who regularly tried to take it. Strengths that were constructed in the port became better protected in America. In the walled town is preserved historical center with important civil and religious treasures for which he was declared Historical Heritage of Humanity.
Honda had a great importance as an intermediate point in the ascent of passengers and cargo from Bogota during the colonial period and until the nineteenth century and still retains its beautiful architecture and its steep streets.
All over Colombia, there are scattered villages and towns that recall the importance of the foundations of the colonial period and keep priceless architectural treasures, such as Pamplona in Norte de Santander, Girón and Barichara in Santander, Villa de Leyva in Boyaca and Santa Fe de Antioquia near Medellin. In places that were the scene of the struggle for emancipation from Spain are relics that commemorate the wars of independence.
The mixture of races has made the country and the world cultural expressions of great value in the fields of music, visual arts and literature, as witnessed by writers and artists whose work can be admired in museums, galleries, libraries and spaces country’s public.
