Monserrate, Mountain sanctuary and pilgrimage site in Bogotá, Colombia
Monserrate is a sedimentary rock mountain rising east of central Bogotá in Colombia, with a white sanctuary at its summit visible from far across the city. The peak reaches roughly 3150 meters and offers a wide view over the sprawling streets of the capital toward the surrounding mountain ranges.
Spanish settlers built a first hermitage on this summit in 1650 after earlier ceremonial sites of the Muisca had already existed there. Over the centuries the building was renewed several times and the current church arose in the early 20th century.
The name comes from a Catalan monastery near Barcelona and many believers walk up on foot to fulfill their prayers at the sanctuary. On Sundays, families from the city gather for a joint visit, often combined with a stroll along the paths near the church.
Visitors reach the summit by funicular railway, cable car or hiking trail, with the walk on foot taking roughly one hour. At the top there are several small restaurants and kiosks offering warm drinks and snacks.
During the June solstice the sun rises exactly behind the summit when viewed from Bolívar Square, an astronomical alignment already noticed by the Muisca. This line connects the central square of the city with the sanctuary on the mountain and shows the ancient importance of this place for observing the sky.
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