Santa Cruz de Mompox, Colonial town in Colombia
Santa Cruz de Mompox is a colonial town on a river island in Colombia with buildings dating from the 1500s arranged along a waterfront main street. The town retains its original layout with cobblestone streets and private courtyards within its historic neighborhoods.
The settlement was founded in 1537 and grew as a trading port on a major river. Its importance faded over time, but this isolation is what allowed the old layout to survive to the present day.
The town is known for its intricate filigree jewelry making, a craft passed down through generations. During Holy Week processions, you can see artisans in their workshops and experience how the community keeps these religious traditions alive.
You can reach the town by boat on the river or by road from outside the island. Local lodging and restaurants serve regional food throughout the different neighborhoods.
The town received UNESCO recognition and remained largely unchanged while most colonial towns around it transformed. This preservation happened not through modern planning, but because the town stayed disconnected from the country's economic development.
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