Last updated on .
The Church of Santa Bárbara (Iglesia de Santa Bárbara) is the most beautiful church in Mompox. It’s located on Plaza Santa Bárbara along the Albarrada in the historic town center. Mompox is a Colombian Heritage Town (Pueblo Patrimonio) as well as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The original Church of Santa Bárbara was completed in 1613 out of mud and straw. The current building, an architectural gem, was completed in 1733.
Among the most striking features are the Baroque bell tower. It’s decorating with moldings of crowns, flowers, lions, and palms. The tower was built with a balcony.
Interior
Inside the church, there are three golden altars. Each pew contains gorgeous woodwork on each end. Near the rear of the church is what locals pointed out as the cross of Mompox.
Climbing the Tower
For a small fee, it’s possible to climb the bell tower. It’s accessible through the church’s courtyard, which can be seen clearly from the first level. You can also see the façade of the church from the balcony as well, but at an extreme angle.
In the upper levels, you can get a good look at the bells and mechanics. One of the bells I looked closely at was made in 1830.
The views down to the plaza below as well as the surrounding area are wonderful. It’s easy to spot the bell towers of other colonial churches in Mompox. The terra cotta rooftops and small buildings show how the town really hasn’t changed over the centuries.
