Plaza de Bolívar, Main city square in historic center, Bogotá, Colombia

Plaza de Bolívar is the main square of Bogotá, Colombia, covering 13,903 square metres between Calle 10 and Calle 11 and Carrera 7 and Carrera 8. Its paving of light and dark grey stone tiles is crossed by reddish-brown brick strips, and pigeons and pedestrians move across the flat surface. The square is bordered by the Palace of Justice to the north, the National Capitol to the south, the Primatial Cathedral and Archiepiscopal Palace to the east, and the Liévano Palace to the west.

The square began as the Plaza Mayor after Bogotá's founding in 1538, with the first cathedral built on its northeastern corner in 1539. It hosted a pillory until 1583, then a public fountain, and remained a market and bullring until 1861. It was called Plaza de la Constitución from 1821, and in 1846 the Congress ordered a bronze statue of Simón Bolívar by Pietro Tenerani, after which the square took its present name.

The bronze Simón Bolívar, shaped by Pietro Tenerani in 1846, was the city's first public monument. He stands now at the center of a square where pigeons flutter between walkers, street vendors, and visitors sitting on benches or taking photos.

The square is surrounded by four major streets that make all sides accessible and ease the approach to the surrounding government buildings and cathedral. It is best visited during daytime when nearby shops and museums are open and security is higher.

The current Palace of Justice is the third building on the north side. The first, from 1921, burned during the Bogotazo in April 1948; the second was destroyed in November 1985 during the M-19 siege. Its ruins stood untouched until 1989, and construction of the present building began in 1998.