Museums of Tunja

Location:
Tunja, Colombia

Museum

By Lorraine Caputo

All of Tunja's museums are housed in colonial or Republican-era former homes which are some of the oldest in Latin America. Several showcase the buildings themselves, others the arts. While on the circuit, don't miss Santa Clara La Real's Religious Art Museum (see churches).

--Casa del Fundador Gonzalo Suárez Rendón--Daily 8 a.m.-noon, 2-6 p.m. Carrera 9, Plaza de Bolívar. Entry $0.80 adults, $0.50 children.

--Casa del Escríbano del Rey don Juan de Vargas--Tuesday-Sunday 8 a.m.-noon, 2-6 p.m. Calle 20 8-52. Entry $1.05 adults, $0.50 children. Built at the end of the 16th century, this colonial mansion evidences Mozarab, Andalusian and Toscan influences. The gift shop sells artesanía, music CDs and books by Boyacá creators.

--Casa del Presidente General Gustavo Rojas Pinilla. Daily 8 a.m.-noon, 2-6 p.m. Calle 17 10-73. Entry: Free. Now the Casa de la Cultura, with galleries saluting poetry, music and three Colombian presidents.

--Casa de la Familia Niño y Capitán Martín de Rojas. Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-noon, 2-6 p.m. Carrera 10 19-17. Entry: free. Home of the Instituto de Cultura y Turismo de Boyacá (ICTBA) and the Museo de Arte Contemporáneo.

Relative price: Budget

Travel Skills: None