You'll see it alongside the highway between Tunja and Bogotá, this large white monument to the Battle of Boyacá. On the seventh day of August in 1819, a small liberation force under the direct command of General Francisco de Paula Santander defeated a large column of Spanish troops. Simón Bolívar was overseeing the entire military campaign that day. The hallmark of this site is an 18-meter (59-foot)-high monument dedicated to Bolívar, designed by Ferdinand von Müller. Other structures include a triumphal arch, an obelisk to the Liberator and the Boyacá Bridge (Puente de Boyacá). Every Saturday a different Boyancense village leads the commemorative ceremonies, complete with honor guards (8 a.m.-5 p.m.).

Location:
15 minutes south, vía Bogotá

Tunja, Colombia

Historical Building

Getting There
Busetas leave from the upper level of Tunja's bus terminal every half-hour ($1.30 each way).

Price Description: Entry is Free; only transportation costs.

Relative price: Budget

Open Hours from:Daily 8:30 a.m.

Open Hours to:Daily 8:30 p.m.

Travel Skills: None

You Need to Bring: Bring water, and a picnic lunch to save money. Otherwise refreshments are available at the monument.

By Lorraine Caputo

Upon re-declaring her independence at age 29, Lorraine Caputo packed her trusty Rocinante (so her knapsack's called) and began traipsing throughout...

Created: 10 Jan 2008

Updated: 06 Feb 2008

4 & 5** Custom & Scheduled Tours by www.SouthAmerica.travel Create your own travel itinerary with our custom Travel Planner, or choose from one of our 100s of carefully designed itineraries. Special escorted departures. SouthAmerica.travel