Bolívar Square

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The Bolívar Square (Spanish: Plaza de Bolívar) is located in the heart of the historical area of Bogotá. It has a statue of Simón Bolívar sculpted in 1846 by the Italian Pietro Tenerani, which was the first ever public monument in the city.

Primate Cathedral

Justice Palace

National Capitol

On the northern side of the square is the Justice Palace, a big modern building where the Supreme Court works. The history of the Justice Palace is tragic enough and maybe symbolic of the problems of the nation. The first building was built in 1921 on the corner of the 11th and with 6th street and destroyed by a fire during the Bogotazo in April, 1948. A new palace was built on the north side of the Bolívar Square and destroyed again in November of 1985 by the guerrilla movement M-19 during the "Palace of Justice Siege", while the army tried to take control of the building. The ruins of the building were kept untouched for 4 years until the government decided to demolish them and construct the new building that currently exists.

On the southern side of the square the National Capitol is located, which is the seat of the Colombian Congress. It's construction was initiated in 1846 but due to the politic instability of the country it was not finished until 1926. This building was designed by the English architect Thomas Reed. The original design included a big dome. It was decided not to build the dome in order to finish the construction on time and not to defy the cathedral's tower.

Liévano building, seat for the Mayor of Bogotá

On the west side of the square there is a French style building known as the Liévano building which is the seat for the Bogotá's Mayor.

On the eastern side of the square is the Primate Cathedral, built between 1807 and 1823, and near it is the Holy Chapel, which was built at the end of the 17th Century.

On the north-east corner is the Vase House, where is the July 20 Museum, in which occurred the Independence Cry on July 20 of 1810, first independence attempt from the Spanish rule in Colombia.

Finally, on the south-east corner is the Mayor School of San Bartolomé, secondary school institution, originally a university, established by the Jesuits in 1604, were many national personalities studied. The Camilo Torres little square is the place were some revolutionaries were killed in the Spanish re-conquest of 1816.