Last updated on .
Santa Fe de Antioquia is a beautiful town of full of cobblestone streets and colonial architecture. It’s not your typical Antioquian town and there’s plenty to see.
Introduction to Santa Fe de Antioquia
The oldest town in Antioquia isn’t the city of Medellín, it’s the quiet and simple Santa Fe de Antioquia. Founded in 1541 as a gold mining town, it was once the capital of the department and one of the most prosperous towns in the Spanish Empire.
Santa Fe is also one of Colombia’s prestigious Heritage Towns (Pueblos Patrimonio), full of well-preserved colonial architecture and historic churches. It’s a great place to take a day trip from Medellín or even better for a pleasant overnight stay. There are lots of hotels to choose from and some decent restaurants.
Santa Fe de Antioquia is very tourist friendly and the town is very proud of its history. Even buildings of minor importance contain some sort of interpretive sign in front. They’re very easy to spot and are written in both Spanish and English.
Getting to Santa Fe de Antioquia
Santa Fe is situated about 90 minutes from Medellín by car and easily accessible as a day trip by bus. To get there using public transportation, you can take a bus from Terminal del Norte in Medellín. Don’t be surprised if it takes up to two hours with stops.
Getting back to Medellín, buses leave from the small bus terminal, which is located just a couple blocks from Plaza Mayor Simón Bolívar.
Getting Around Santa Fe de Antioquia
For the most part, you don’t need any transportation to get around Santa Fe de Antioquia. Just about everything in the historic city is within walking distance of the bus terminal. If you would like to go to the Puente de Occidente (Puente de Occidente), you can hire a tuk-tuk to take you there.
Guided Tours of Santa Fe de Antioquia
When my father came to visit me in Colombia in January 2015, we decided to take a tour offered by LandVenture Travel. We were picked up by our guide, Andrés, just after 9am from our hotel in Medellín and driven to Santa Fe de Antioquia via the longest tunnel in the Americas at the time.
Andrés was an excellent guide who answered all of our questions thoroughly. He also did a great job to make sure everyone was comfortable and enjoying themselves. I highly recommend Andrés and LandVenture Travel for a private tour of Santa Fe when visiting Medellín.
Weather in Santa Fe de Antioquia
Santa Fe de Antioquia is very hot! Stay hydrated and be sure to wear sunscreen. The weather can be uncomfortable during the late morning and early afternoon, but it should start to cool down around 4-5pm. Thankfully, most restaurants and hotels will have either air conditioning or ceiling fans.
Where to Stay in Santa Fe de Antioquia
There are plenty of small boutique hotels to choose from in Santa Fe de Antioquia as well as budget options. My top choice so far is the historic Hotel Mariscal Robledo.
Hotel Mariscal Robledo
Hotel Mariscal Robledo is a historic hotel in Santa Fe de Antioquia. Even if you aren’t staying the night, it’s still well worth a visit.
Hotel Mariscal Robledo, located on Plazuela de la Chinca, opened its doors in 1946. Since then it has been a symbol of Santa Fe and a benchmark for other hotels in the region.
The hotel has hosted countless weddings and other social events, and has also been the place where celebrities and special guests of Santa Fe de Antioquia’s annual film festival stay. The hotel is filled with antiques for sale and old film memorabilia, and has an elegant yet quirky atmosphere.
In the past, each room had a plaque outside the door honoring a famous guest who stayed in the room. Some of the most famous guests include American actors John Leguizamo and Tara Reid.
The Hotel
Hotel Mariscal Robledo was built in the Spanish Colonial style. It has comfortable rooms with excellent air conditioning, and a delicious buffet breakfast is included in the rate. Breakfast is served in the dining room, which is also a restaurant offering a variety of Colombian dishes.
A beautiful swimming pool is available for guests to cool off from the town’s blazing heat. There are plenty of sun chairs and cabanas available, and there’s also a bar next to the pool.
Common areas open to guests only include a library filled with antique books and other items. A music room displays musical instruments, antique record players, a jukebox, and other musical memorabilia.
Finally, you can get one of the most memorable views of Santa Fe from a large window on the second floor of the hotel.
Stay There!
Overall, I highly recommend staying overnight at Hotel Mariscal Robledo. It feels like you’re stepping back in time. It’s got a wonderful vibe and the pool is an amazing place to spend your day. Just about everything there is to see in Santa Fe is within walking distance, and there are some great restaurants just around the corner. A café is even located in one of the storefronts outside the hotel.
Hotel Colonial Nueva Granada
I can recommend Hotel Colonial Nueva Granada. It’s a simple hotel situated in a colonial building on Calle 9.
I had a very comfortable room with good air conditioning. It was completely silent at night, and the shower had nice water pressure. The only windows were in the bathroom and one next to the door opening to the small courtyard.
The common areas include the courtyard as well as a small swimming pool with sun chairs. The staff is friendly and the location is fantastic. It’s just a couple blocks from Plaza Mayor, the main plaza in Santa Fe de Antioquia.
Hotel Caserón del Parque
Hotel Caserón del Parque is also a decent choice. It sits on Plaza Mayor and was once the House of the Governors. During the low season, we stayed at the hotel and got a comfortable double room with air conditioning. The pool is also a refreshing way to get out of the heat. Pricing varies depending on the season.
Where to Eat in Santa Fe de Antioquia
Santa Fe de Antioquia has a few good restaurants in the historic part of town. They serve anything from traditional Colombian to Italian and Spanish.
Portón del Parque
A great place to dine is Portón del Parque. This restaurant serves typical Colombian dishes in a beautiful colonial home with high ceilings. Caricature portraits of famous Colombians and others line the walls from nearly floor to ceiling. There’s also a nice courtyard in the middle with more seating.
On my first visit, I had the bandeja paisa. On later visits, I had the tamarind chicken, pepper steak, and tamarind pork. Everything has been delicious. The food is reasonably priced and service is attentive and friendly.
El Español
El Español sits on Plazuela de la Chinca, on the next corner from Hotel Mariscal Robledo. They offer a variety of Spanish dishes including paella and have seating on two nice courtyards.
The restaurant has a very small selection of tapas as well as tablas of meats and cheeses. The tapas consist of fried calamari rings, patatas bravas, patatas alioli, garlic shrimp, and a few other choices. The food was good and I’d eat there again.
La Plazuela
At the east end of Calle 10, in front of the Church of Jesus of Nazareth (Iglesia de Jesús Nazareno), is La Plazuela. It’s an artisanal pizza place with a few homemade pasta dishes and salads on the menu. They have a wonderful outdoor patio but it fills up quickly when the town is busy. Also be aware that they only accept cash.
I had a veggie pizza with mushrooms, tomato, onion, red peppers, and olives. To be honest, my expectations were a little too high so I wasn’t impressed, but it was still tasty.
La Comedia
Another decent place to eat is La Comedia. They have a nice varied selection on the menu and good service. Prices are reasonable.
Food Court
A small food court is located in the mall next to the Cathedral of Santa Fe de Antioquia on Plaza Mayor Simón Bolívar. There are a few restaurants to choose from, including pizza, ceviche, traditional Colombian, and more. I had a decent pizza from the pizza place.
Stay Connected in Santa Fe de Antioquia *
With a flexible eSIM data plan from Saily, you can reduce or even eliminate international roaming fees AND save time, so you can enjoy your trip without missing a beat. Saily is built by Nord Security, trusted by over 14 million people worldwide, and is compatible with both iOS and Android.
Click here to learn more about Saily, or here to get started. Don’t forget to use this promo code to get 5% off: Special5
*This section contains an affiliate link. By clicking on the link or banner, I receive a small “thank you” and you receive an offer at no cost to you, unless you decide to make a purchase – a win-win for both of us!
Plaza Mayor Simón Bolívar
The best place to start exploring Santa Fe de Antioquia is Plaza Mayor Simón Bolívar. It sits at the heart of town and contains some of the most important historic buildings.
Formerly known as Plaza de Armas, Plaza Mayor Simón Bolívar is surrounded by buildings constructed in the Spanish colonial style.
A major reconstruction of the plaza was completed in 2018, completely pedestrianizing all but Calle 9, which runs along the south side. The reconstruction also added several plants and trees to the center of the plaza, and saw the craft booths moved out to other parts of town.
The center of Plaza Mayor Simón Bolívar is filled with beautiful trees and flowers. There’s a gorgeous fountain along the south side as well as benches scattered throughout.
Statue of Juan del Corral
Directly in the center of the plaza is a statue of a seated Juan del Corral (1778-1814). He was a hero of Colombian independence and was named the “dictator” of the Free State of Antioquia. He held that position from July 31, 1814, to April 7, 1814. The Free State of Antioquia lasted until 1816 when it joined the United Provinces of Nueva Granada and was soon after reconquered by Spain. Santa Fe was its capital.
Cathedral of Santa Fe de Antioquia
The largest and most important building on the plaza is the Cathedral of Santa Fe de Antioquia (Catedral de Santa Fe de Antioquia). Officially named Metropolitan Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception (Catedral Basílica Metropolitana de la Inmaculada Concepción), it’s the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Santa Fe de Antioquia (Arquidiócesis de Santa Fe de Antioquia). The cathedral occupies the spot of the very first church built in Santa Fe, around 1550. It has one bell tower.
The Cathedral of Santa Fe de Antioquia was designed in the Spanish Renaissance style by Spanish Friar Domingo de Petrés (1759-1811), who also designed the Cathedral of Bogotá and the Cathedral of Zipaquirá. It was built by Juan Esteban Martínez y Ferreiro (1761-1850), with construction starting on March 27, 1799.
The cathedral was completed in 1837 and was consecrated on December 6 of that year by Monsignor Juan de la Cruz Gómez Plata (1793-1850). It was elevated to a Minor Basilica in 1941 and to a Metropolitan Cathedral in 1988. The building is usually open for mass only.
Processionals at the Cathedral of Santa Fe de Antioquia
I was fortunate to visit on Palm Sunday while the Holy Week processionals were on display inside the church. The rest of the year, they’re located at the Francisco Cristóbal Toro Museum of Religious Art on Calle 11. Santa Fe de Antioquia hosts the fourth most important Holy Week procession in Colombia.
Old Town Hall
On the southeast corner of Plaza Mayor Simón Bolívar is the Juan Antonio Mon y Velarde Old Town Hall (Palacio Consistorial Juan Antonio Mon y Velarde). It was built between 1786 and 1787 and named for its builder, Spanish Governor Juan Antonio Mon y Velarde (1747-1791). The building was enlarged in 1797 and renovated in 1853.
The Old Town Hall served as the government building for the Province of Antioquia and the offices of the Governor of Antioquia before the capital moved to Medellín in 1826. It currently houses the Town Hall of Santa Fe de Antioquia (Alcaldía Municipal de Santa Fe de Antioquia) and the Honorable Municipal Council (Honorable Consejo Municipal).
Inside the building, Juan del Corral, Secretary of War and Treasury José María Hortiz (1783-1818), and Secretary of Pardon and Justice José Manuel Restrepo Santamaría signed the Act of Absolute Independence for the State of Antioquia on August 11, 1813. The table is on display at the Juan del Corral Museum on Calle 11.
Royal Mint
Across the street along Calle 9 is the Royal Mint (Casa Fundición Real). During Spanish colonial times, gold was melted there and 1/5 was saved for the King.
In September 1819, General José María Córdova (1799-1829) stayed in the building when he came to Santa Fe to gather resources for the Colombian war of independence, and in search of Spanish Royal Governor Faustino Martínez Pastor (1783-1857). Córdova ordered the Spanish Royal Treasurer Manuel del Valle to be shot by a firing squad on the side wall of the cathedral.
House of the Governors
Next door to the Royal Mint is the former House of the Governors (Casa de los Gobernadores). Four Spanish governors lived there: Bartolomé Suárez de Alarcón (1607-1614); Juan Bueso de Valdés (1675); Juan Alonso de Manzaneda (1737-1740); and Francisco de Baraya y la Campa (1788-1794).
Today, the building functions as the Hotel Caserón del Parque. You can ask the hotel staff to go upstairs and get an excellent view of the entire plaza from the balcony.
Jorge Isaacs House
On the southwest corner of Plaza Mayor Simón Bolívar is the house where Colombian writer Jorge Isaacs (1837-1895) stayed in 1862. Isaacs, the author of María, was visiting his uncle, Dr. Vicente Ferrer Scarpetta.
Plazuela Francisco Cristóbal Toro
To the left of the cathedral is Plazuela Francisco Cristóbal Toro. In the center is a statue of Francisco Cristóbal Toro (1859-1942), who was an important Colombian bishop born in Santa Fe de Antioquia. Toro led the very first Colombian pilgrimage to Europe, visiting Lourdes and Turin before an audience with the Pope in Rome. He’s buried in the crypt of the cathedral and the town’s religious art museum is named in his honor. The statue was erected in 1943.
The plaza also features craft booths along the street. They sell all kinds of local handmade goods as well as fruits and sweets made of tamarind.
House of Juan Esteban Martínez y Ferreiro
Finally, behind the statue is the house of Juan Esteban Martínez y Ferreiro (1761-1850), the builder of the Cathedral of Santa Fe de Antioquia. Today, it serves as the Priests’ House (Casa Cural). A part of the house on Calle 11 also makes up the Juan del Corral Museum.
Calle 9 in Santa Fe de Antioquia
The block running along the south side of Plaza Mayor Simón Bolívar is Calle 9. It’s also known as Calle Santander or Calle La Mocha. We’ll start west of the plaza and walk east.
House of Poet Jorge Robledo Ortiz
First, at the corner of Calle 9 and Carrera 11 is the birthplace of poet Jorge Robledo Ortiz (Casa del Poeta Jorge Robledo Ortiz). Jorge Robledo Ortiz (1917-1990) was one of the most important poets in Colombian history.
House of the Descendants of the Counts of Pestagua
Heading east a couple blocks past Plaza Mayor Simón Bolívar, at Calle 9 #8-24 is the house of the descendants of the Counts of Pestagua (Casa de los descendientes de los Condes de Pestagua). The Count of Pestagua was a title of Spanish nobility created on April 14, 1770, by King Carlos III of Spain.
Black House
Finally, on the corner of the next block is the Black House (La Casa Negra). This 17th century manor serves as the Julio Vives Guerra Cultural Center (Casa de la Cultura Julio Vives Guerra). It was also the birthplace of Colombian poet Julio Vives Guerra (1873-1950).
The house was used as a theater for silent movies in the early 20th century. Today, as the town’s cultural center, it houses the Municipal Library (Biblioteca Municipal), History Center (Centro de Historia), the Association of Filigree Jewelers (Asociación de Joyeros de Filigrana), and the Bernardo Martínez Villa History Archive (Archivo Histórico Bernardo Martínez Villa).
Calle 10 in Santa Fe de Antioquia
Next, we’ll head back west along Calle 10, which runs east to west along the north side of Plaza Mayor Simón Bolívar. It’s also known as Calle Caldas or Calle Medio. We’ll start on the far east end of Santa Fe de Antioquia.
Chapel of Our Lady of Mount Carmel
The Chapel of Our Lady of Mount Carmel (Capilla Nuestra Señora del Carmen) serves the city cemetery, which opened in 1813. The original chapel was a Spanish Neo-classical style church built between 1818 and 1846. The current chapel is very similar to the original and was built between 1980 and 1985 by Hugo Vásquez Cartagena.
Bamboo Bridge
A short walk behind the chapel further to the east is a bamboo bridge (Puente de Guadua). It leads across a busy highway and into a small neighborhood. It’s not something you need to go out of your way to see.
Church of Jesus of Nazareth
Heading back west down Calle 10, about three blocks from the chapel is the Church of Jesus of Nazareth (Iglesia de Jesús Nazareno). More commonly known as the Church of My Father Jesus (Iglesia de Mi Padre Jesús), construction started in 1828. The church replaced an older church built with mud and straw in 1690. It was consecrated on October 20, 1845, although it wasn’t fully complete.
Casa del Niño Dios
On the north side of the street on the next block is an interesting building used as a preschool, Casa del Niño Dios. It was built in the 19th century and is also known as the Little Palace (La Casa del Palacito).
House of Mother Laura
On the next corner on the north side at Calle 10 #7-10 is the house of Colombian Saint Mother Laura (Casa de la Santa Colombiana Madre Laura). Laura Montoya (1874-1949) was a nun known for her work with indigenous peoples. She lived in the house from 1927 to 1938.
Mother Laura was born in Jericó and died in Medellín. She was beatified on April 25, 2004, and canonized as a saint on May 12, 2013, by Pope Francis.
Jorge Robledo Ortiz Music School Corporation
Directly across the street on the other corner is the Jorge Robledo Ortiz Music School Corporation (Corporación Escuela de Música Jorge Robledo Ortiz). It has introduced children to music since opening its doors in 1993. Up to 300 children and youth from ages 5 to 24 attend, learning to play instruments for marching bands, string quartets, concert bands, and more.
House of the Pirate Aguilar
Continuing a couple blocks west past Plaza Mayor Simón Bolívar is the House of the Pirate Aguilar (La Casa del Pirata Aguilar) at Calle 10 #10-66. I can’t find any information about it.
House of the Acevedos
Next door on the corner is the house of the Acevedos (La Casa de los Acevedos), a prominent family from Santa Fe de Antioquia. It’s located at Calle 10 #10-80.
House of the Gómez Martínez Family
On the corner across to the south side of the street at Carrera 11 #9-76 is the house of the Gómez Martínez family (Casa de la Familia Gómez Martínez), one of the most important families in the history of Santa Fe de Antioquia. Dr. Fernando Gómez Martínez (1897-1985), who was a governor of Antioquia, as well as a diplomat, congressman, and journalist, once lived there. His sister, Merceditas Gómez Martínez (1898-1978), who was an educator, writer, journalist, and the first director of the Juan del Corral Museum on Calle 11, also lived there.
Plazuela de la Chinca
Plazuela de la Chinca is a small plaza a couple blocks west of Plaza Mayor Simón Bolívar along Calle 10. It’s officially name is José M. Martínez Pardo Park (Parque José M. Martínez Pardo), after José María Martínez Pardo (1805-1892). He was a doctor and the first person to legally teach medicine in Colombia. The nickname “La Chinca” comes from the church situated on the park.
In the center of the plaza is a statue of Spanish conquistador Jorge Robledo (1500-1546), the founder of the town. It’s dedicated to the “Antioquian race”.
Craft booths line the south and east sides of the park. You can find locally-made souvenirs as well as sweets made of tamarind and fresh fruits.
Our Lady of Chiquinquirá
On the west side of Plazuela de la Chinca is a church, Our Lady of Chiquinquirá (Nuestra Señora de Chiquinquirá). It was built between 1863 and 1868 and replaced an older church built around 1650, the Hermitage of the Martyrs (La Ermita de Los Mártires). In 1702, the church was rededicated to the Virgin of Chiquinquirá. Locals affectionately call it La Chinca.
Archbishop’s Palace
On the south side of the plaza is the Archbishop’s Palace (Palacio Arzobispal). It served as the home of the archbishop from 1902 to 1988, when it was converted to an office of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Santa Fe de Antioquia.
The building was constructed in the Republican style and has a cloistered courtyard. The floors are made of cement in a chessboard pattern. The interior is decorated with period furniture and contains a historical archive of great value. Next door is the Curia of the Archdiocese.
Wall of Fame
On the outside of the historic Hotel Mariscal Robledo along Calle 10 is the town’s “wall of fame”. It contains pictures and biographies of important people in the history of Santa Fe.
José María Martínez Pardo School
On the northeast corner of the plaza is the José María Martínez Pardo School (Escuela José María Martínez Pardo). It contains a preschool and primary school up to fifth grade.
House of Adam of the Mangos
Finally, just opposite the school on the north side of the plaza is the House of Adam of the Mangos (La Casa del Adán de los Mangos). It’s said that the first mango tree in Antioquia was brought from Jamaica in the middle of the 18th century and planted in the courtyard of the house.
Calle 11 in Santa Fe de Antioquia
From Plazuela de la Chinca, we’ll head a block north and walk east down Calle 11. The historic buildings sit along five blocks of the street. Calle 11 is also known as “La Amargura” as well as Calle Gómez Plata.
House of Monsignor Francisco Cristóbal Toro
First, on the south side of the street at #11-29 is the house of Monsignor Francisco Cristóbal Toro (Casa del Monseñor Francisco Cristóbal Toro). The aforementioned Francisco Cristóbal Toro was born in the house.
House of Dr. Fernando Gómez Martínez
Across the street at #11-24 is the house of Dr. Fernando Gómez Martínez (Casa del Dr. Fernando Gómez Martínez). Dr. Fernando Gómez Martínez (1897-1985) was a two-time governor of Antioquia and Colombian ambassador to the Netherlands as well as a foreign minister, lawyer, professor, congressman, senator, and journalist.
House of the Historian
On the corner at #11-11 is the House of the Historian (La Casa del Historiador). It belonged to local historian Miguel Martínez Villa (1895-1972), who was one of the five founding members of the town’s historical society, on March 8, 1923, and its first president. He was also a journalist and notary as well as a professor at the local seminary.
Londoño Residence
A block away on the north side of the street at #10-10 is the Londoño Residence (Residencia de los Londoños). It belongs to a prominent family from Santa Fe.
House of Juan del Corral
Directly across the street at #10-83 is the house of Dictator Juan del Corral (Casa del Dictador Juan del Corral). It belonged to the previously mentioned Juan del Corral.
Juan del Corral Museum
On the next block at #9-77 is the Juan del Corral Museum (Museo Juan del Corral), which opened to the public in 1970. It features several important historical artifacts from Santa Fe including tools, household items, and ecclesiastical art. Admission is free (as of August 2024) and it’s open daily except Wednesdays.
The museum is situated in part of the house of Juan Esteban Martínez y Ferreiro , which was built in a mix of the Colonial and Republican styles.
The most important item in the museum is the table at which Juan del Corral, Secretary of War and Treasury José María Hortiz (1783-1818), and Secretary of Pardon and Justice José Manuel Restrepo Santamaría signed the Act of Absolute Independence for the State of Antioquia on August 11, 1813. Also on display is the coat of arms presented to the city by Spanish King Carlos I (also known as Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor; 1500-1558).
Girardot House
Across the street at #9-62 is the house of the parents of Atanasio Girardot (Casa de los padres de Atanasio Girardot). It belonged to Frenchman Louis Girardot and his wife, María Josefa Díaz Hoyos de Girardot (1772-1856). They were the parents of Colombian revolutionary hero Atanasio Girardot (1791-1813), who was conceived in the house. He died on September 30, 1813, during the Battle of Bárbula in Venezuela while trying to plant the republican flag. María Josefa Díaz Hoyos de Girardot also lost her husband, younger son Miguel, and stepson Pedro in the war for independence from Spain.
House of Dr. Juan Martínez Villa
Next door at #9-34 is the house of Dr. Juan Martínez Villa (Casa del Dr. Juan Martínez Villa). I couldn’t find any information about him.
Hortiz House
Across the street at #9-27 is the house of the descendants of José María Hortiz (Casa de los descendientes de José María Hortiz). As previously mentioned, Hortiz was the Secretary of War and Treasury for Dictator Juan del Corral and signed the Act of Absolute Independence for the State of Antioquia.
House of Miguel de Aguinaga
On the corner at #9-16 is the house of Miguel de Aguinaga (Casa de Don Miguel de Aguinaga). Miguel de Aguinaga y Mendigoitia (1634-1693) was the Spanish governor of Antioquia from 1675 to 1679 and the founder of Medellín in 1675.
Saint Thomas Aquinas Seminary
On the opposite corner at #8-74 is the Saint Thomas Aquinas Seminary (Seminario Mayor Santo Tomás de Aquino). It was founded by Bishop Mariano Garnica y Dorjuela in 1830 and was renamed San Fernando Seminary College (Colegio Seminario San Fernando) in 1836. It’s the oldest seminary in Antioquia.
The ground floor of the seminary was built by the Jesuits starting in 1727. By the end of the 18th century, the department’s first hospital, the San Carlos Royal Hospital (Hospital Real de San Carlos), operated there.
The seminary occupies the site of the home of Andrés Pardo, the Spanish Treasurer of the Royal Appellate Court (Tesorero de la Real Audiencia). It also shares part of the old Jesuit building sitting next door that makes up the Francisco Cristóbal Toro Museum of Religious Art.
Chapel of the Most Holy
Across the street are the parish offices for the Church of Santa Barbara as well as the tiny Chapel of the Most Holy (Capilla del Santísimo).
Francisco Cristóbal Toro Museum of Religious Art
Next is the Francisco Cristóbal Toro Museum of Religious Art (Museo de Arte Religioso Francisco Cristóbal Toro), which is an excellent museum in Santa Fe de Antioquia. It was founded in 1969 and opened to the public in 1983. It’s named for Monsignor Francisco Cristóbal Toro.
The Francisco Cristóbal Toro Museum of Religious Art is open daily. Admission is COP$3,000 per person (as of August 2023). Give yourself about 30-45 minutes to enjoy the exhibits.
The museum is housed in a two-story building constructed by the Jesuits in the early 18th century. The ground floor has barred windows set in stone and brick walls while the second floor has balcony windows with plastered walls. Inside is a cloistered courtyard with rounded arches.
Ground Floor
The exhibits begin on the ground floor, where there’s a room dedicated to a sculpture of the Last Supper. It’s the largest sculpture from the Quito School (Escuela Quiteña) of art located outside Quito, Ecuador. The next room contains sculptures from the 17th and 18th century.
Moving along is a room featuring an entire altar crafted by the artist from Saint Nicholas of Bari (San Nicolás de Bari) in Burgos, Spain. The room also contains a Holy Sepulcher from the Antioquian School (Escuela Antioqueña) as well as a case full of works of silver dating back to the 18th century.
Finally, there’s a display containing processional statues used every year during Holy Week processions. Interpretive panels on the wall explain the meanings and traditions behind the local procession, which is the fourth most important Holy Week procession in Colombia.
Upper Floor
On the way up to the upper floor is a stunning piece of wooden art dating back to the 17th century. Once you reach the top of the stairs, there’s a nice view of the courtyard. You can also get a good look at the Church of Santa Barbara next door from an opening on the east side of the courtyard.
The first room contains more statues, paintings, and other works of art. This room opens out onto Calle 11, where you can get excellent views of the Spanish colonial architecture along the street and the cathedral in the distance.
Next is a room dedicated to Colombian Saint Laura Montoya (1874-1949), who was a nun known for her work with indigenous peoples. Mother Laura was born in Jericó and died in Medellín. She was beatified on April 25, 2004, and canonized as a saint on May 12, 2013, by Pope Francis.
Around the other side of the courtyard is a room filled with more paintings and objects from the Antioquian School. There’s also a room filled with copies of original drawings by Spanish Neogranadine painter Gregorio Vásquez de Arce y Ceballos (1638-1711). He was born in Bogotá into an Andalusian family originally from Sevilla. The originals are in the Colonial Museum in Bogotá.
The final room contains antique vestments used by Catholic priests and bishops during mass and other religious services.
My Thoughts on the Francisco Cristóbal Toro Museum of Religious Art
Overall, I was happy to visit this museum. It has a surprisingly rich collection for such a small town, and the museum is very nicely organized. Unfortunately for non-Spanish speakers, all of the information is in Spanish, but it’s still worth visiting to see the impressive works of art. The building is also interesting to see.
Church of Santa Bárbara
Just past the Religious Art Museum is the oldest church in Santa Fe, the Church of Santa Barbara (Iglesia de Santa Bárbara). Construction started in 1727 under the Jesuits and was halted in 1767 when they were expelled from Spain and its territories. It was finally completed in 1795.
Parque Santa Bárbara
The church opens up to the small Parque Santa Bárbara, which is a beautifully manicured park full of trees, shrubs, flowers, and benches. A cross sits in the center of the park and its surrounded by historic buildings.
House of Juan María Gómez
Finally, on the next block at #7-08 is the house of Juan María Gómez (Casa del Procer Juan María Gómez). Juan María Gómez (1798-1850) was a general who participated during the entire campaign for independence from Spain, including fighting alongside Simón Bolívar (1783-1830) in the Battle of Boyacá. He was also an ambassador to Brazil and France as well as a diplomat in the United States.
Llano de Bolívar
Llano de Bolívar is a neighborhood in Santa Fe de Antioquia. It sits to the north of the town center across the main highway running through town.
Llano de Bolívar is a quiet section of the city. It was originally named Llano Alto by the Spaniards. At the beginning of the 20th century, it was almost completely uninhabited save for a few small homes with thatched roofs. The city started to sell lots for development in the 1930s or 1940s. According to a local account, Simón Bolívar promised the land to the poor. Therefore, the name Llano de Bolívar was born.
Anyone visiting the Puente de Occidente will have to pass through Llano de Bolívar to get there. There’s not really any reason to stop, but there are two churches of minor importance in the area.
Church of San Pedro Claver
The first and more impressive of the two is the Church of San Pedro Claver (Iglesia de San Pedro Claver). Technically in the Asilo neighborhood, its construction started on April 14, 1889. The first stone was laid by Jesús María Rodríguez. The church, which was built in the Neo-classical style, serves the adjoining Convent of San Pedro Claver (Convento de San Pedro Claver) and the community of the Sisters of the Poor (Hermanas de los Pobres).
Chapel of San Martín de Porres
Along the road to the Puente de Occidente is the Chapel of San Martín de Porres (Capilla de San Martín de Porres). It’s a small Gothic style chapel founded by Archbishop Eladio Acosta Arteaga (1916-2012). It was built by its first priest, Hugo Vásquez Cartagena, who also rebuilt the Chapel of Our Lady of Mount Carmel on Calle 10.
