Chapel of Our Lady of Chiquinquirá

The Chapel of Our Lady of Chiquinquirá is a colonial religious building featuring a single-nave design with white walls that display religious paintings spanning several centuries. The interior holds a collection of historical artworks, including paintings by Colombian artist Gregorio Vasquez de Arce y Ceballos and other pieces that give the space the character of a small museum.

Construction of the chapel began in 1820 on land donated by María Josefa Marulanda, replacing an earlier structure from El Hato that had been demolished in 1792. The building later became an official repository for religious artworks and evolved into an important site for preserving Colombian cultural heritage.

The chapel serves as a resting place for notable Colombian figures and functions as a space where visitors encounter both spiritual devotion and intellectual history. Its simple white interior reflects how local communities have used the building as a meeting point for remembrance and contemplation.

The chapel sits within walking distance in the center of La Ceja del Tambo and is easily accessible from the town center. Visitors should allow time to examine the artworks inside carefully, as the collection is detailed and rewards close observation.

The building received official designation as a Temple Museum of Religious Art in 1968, making it one of the first of its kind in the region. This classification transformed it into an early example of converting historic churches into museums to safeguard their artistic heritage.