Plaza de Bolívar

Plaza de Bolívar is a central square in Tunja featuring a bronze statue of Simón Bolívar at its center. Four significant buildings from different architectural periods surround the plaza and define its character and layout.

The plaza was founded during colonial times as the main marketplace and received its current name in 1847 when a statue of Simón Bolívar was installed. Pietro Tenerani created this sculpture, which marked a new connection to the independence movement.

The plaza serves as a gathering place where people come together for celebrations, demonstrations, and everyday social moments. The buildings surrounding it reflect different periods and remain central to how locals experience the city.

The plaza is easily accessible and centrally located, making it an ideal starting point for exploring the old town. There are plenty of spots to sit and observe, and the surrounding streets connect to other places of interest.

At the four corners of the plaza stand buildings that represent four different branches of government and religion: city hall, the cathedral, the justice palace, and the congress building. This arrangement reveals how the city spatially organized its governance and spiritual authority.