Paredón de los Mártires

Paredón de los Mártires is a monument in the Bosque de la República park in Tunja consisting of an adobe wall with visible bullet holes and marble columns supporting busts of two provincial governors who were executed there. The structure preserves the physical traces of the location and is surrounded by informational plaques that document what happened.

Four provincial governors of Tunja were executed here by Spanish colonial forces on November 29, 1816, as punishment for their participation in revolutionary activities. This event became a pivotal moment in Colombia's independence movement and helped galvanize support for the cause.

The inscription 'Eternamente vive quien muere por la patria' (Those who die for the homeland live eternally) reflects how the struggle for independence became woven into Colombian national identity. Visitors today see this as a place where personal sacrifice merged with the nation's founding purpose.

The monument is located within a park setting and is easily accessible for visitors who want to examine the adobe wall and read the informational plaques. Guided tours are available to help visitors understand the site's historical context and significance.

The bullet holes embedded in the adobe wall are original marks from the 1816 executions and remain visible to this day. These holes create a direct physical link to the past and help visitors grasp the reality of what happened at this location.

GPS coordinates: 5.52808,-73.36400

Latest update: December 12, 2025 12:03