Alto de San Lázaro, Historical monument in Tunja, Colombia.
Alto de San Lázaro is a religious monument on a hilltop in western Tunja that features a Baroque church built in the 16th century. The structure displays characteristic barrel vaults and rounded arches typical of the religious architecture from that era.
The site was established in the mid-16th century following a devastating plague, marking the community's recovery from that crisis. It later gained military importance during Colombia's independence campaigns as a strategic observation point.
The site holds deep spiritual meaning for local residents who gather here for religious processions and ceremonies throughout the year. Visitors can witness how this place remains central to the community's faith practices.
The site can be reached via established pathways from central Tunja and provides broad views of the surrounding landscape. The elevated location means visitors should expect some climb, but the route is well-marked and straightforward.
The location was previously known as Loma de los Ahorcados, a name that reflects a darker chapter in the site's past before it became a place of spiritual refuge. This naming shift shows how the hill transformed over time from a place of hardship to one of community healing.
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