Palacio Nacional de Cali, National monument and judicial building in central Cali, Colombia.
The Palacio Nacional de Cali is a five-story building featuring neoclassical French architecture that rises prominently at Plaza de Cayzedo. It contains a grand entrance portal, broad staircases, spacious halls, and multiple interior courtyards with ornate carved detailing throughout.
Construction began in 1928 under Belgian architect Joseph Martens and the building was inaugurated on July 1, 1933 during President Enrique Olaya Herrera's term. The project emerged when Cali was developing as a growing urban center that needed modern public buildings.
The palace houses a museum dedicated to sugar cane cultivation and processing, reflecting the agricultural heritage of Valle del Cauca region.
The building sits on the eastern side of Plaza de Cayzedo in the city center and is easily reached on foot. The architecture impresses from the outside, and visitors can admire the grand facades and sculptural details from the plaza.
This was the first building in Cali to use bronze roofing materials and features handcrafted cedar wood doors and intricately carved vaulted arches. These materials and techniques show the craftsmanship and resources invested in the construction.
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