Last updated on .
Mariquita is a small historic city in the north of the Tolima department of Colombia. It’s located less than a half hour west of Honda.
Introduction to Mariquita
San Sebastián de Mariquita was founded on August 28, 1551, by Captain Francisco Núñez Pedroso and moved to its current location on January 8, 1553. It was originally named Marequita after an indigenous chief who ruled the region and was one of only three cities in Tolima to be granted a coat of arms by Holy Roman Emperor Charles V (Carlos I).
The city was an important center of gold and silver mining and a favorite retreat for Spanish viceroys thanks to its hot climate. Spanish conquistador Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada (1509-1579) lived in Mariquita from 1572 until his death. After the decline of the mines, the city lost its economic importance.
Mariquita is best known as the headquarters of the Royal Botanical Expedition, which was commissioned by King Carlos III of Spain and led by priest and botanist José Celestino Mutis (1732-1808) between 1783 and 1816. Mutis, along with a group of herbalists and artists, created the first botanical garden in New Granada, and studied several species of plants with medicinal properties and economic potential.
The Province of Mariquita declared itself independent on December 22, 1814, and José León Armero (1775-1816) was appointed president until 1815. The capital was in Honda and the federation lasted until Spanish reconquest on July 12, 1816.
Today, the city is mostly agricultural and is well-known for its mangostino cultivation. While the main attractions were closed, we found the locals to be friendly and helpful.
Manizales-Mariquita Cableway
Mariquita was the eastern terminus of the Manizales-Mariquita Cableway, which went into service on January 22, 1922. It was approximately 72 kilometers long with the purpose of transporting coffee and other goods from Manizales to ports on the Magdalena River. The entire trip took 10 hours – with oxen and mules it would have taken 10 days. With increasing competition from much faster road transportation, operations ceased on October 20, 1967.
Construction began in 1914 and the first segment from Mariquita to Soledad (now Herveo) started running in March of that year. All tools, materials, and supplies needed for construction were shipped from England, crossing the Atlantic and then transported on smaller boats down the Magdalena River to Honda. From there, they were taken by mule and ox. There were a total of 375 steel towers and 1 wooden tower along with 22 stations. The towers ranged from 4 to 54 meters in height.
Getting to Mariquita
Mariquita is on the main highway between Bogotá and Manizales. All buses traveling between the two cities pass through town.
Plaza Mayor José Celestino Mutis
Also known as Plaza de Armas, Plaza Mayor José Celestino Mutis is at the heart of Mariquita. It was commissioned by King Felipe II in the 16th century and preserves the measurements of the main squares of Spain.
A bust of Mutis sits on the west side while the town hall is on the southwest corner. Food vendors line the east side.
Obelisk
The obelisk in the center of the south side was erected in 1915 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Free State of Mariquita. It was built with stones that saw the last footprints of Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada and honors both the conquistador and the Mariquiteños who died during the struggle for Colombian independence.
Ceiba
In the center of the northern half of the plaza is the Ceiba. It was planted in 1988 to honor the citizens of Armero and Mariquita who perished during the volcanic eruption on November 13, 1985.
Cathedral of San Sebastián
The Cathedral of San Sebastián (Catedral de San Sebastián) dominates the east side of the plaza. On the keystone above the entrance is a relief of two intertwined keys symbolizing the entry into heaven or hell.
Construction began in 1553 and it took 100 years to complete. Materials were imported from Venezuela and work was carried out by indigenous slaves. The design is a mixture of colonial and Andalusian architecture and the work was financed by income from the local mines. José Celestino Mutis officiated his first mass at the church in 1783.
The bell tower attached to the left side of the church originally consisted of the lower three brick levels. Two more levels were added in 1928 while the uppermost level and the dome were added in 1946. The clocks were made in the United States and assembled in Medellín in 1915. At the base is a sculpture of Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada lying in state. His remains were kept in the Santa Lucia from his death on February 16, 1579, until they were transferred to Bogotá in July 1597. The sculpture is a replica of the one at the Cathedral of Bogotá sculpted by Luis Alberto Acuña (1904-1993).
House of the Second Botanical Expedition
Northeast of the plaza is the House of the Second Botanical Expedition (Casa de la Segunda Expedición Botánica). Also called the Embassy House (Casa de la Embajada), it’s an old Colonial house remodeled to commemorate the bicentennial of the Royal Botanical Expedition. It opened to the public in 1983. In the garden are some of the species identified by José Celestino Mutis, with many dating back to the 16th century. The house is supposed to be open daily except Mondays but don’t be surprised if it’s closed during scheduled hours. Locals told us it’s rarely open, which is a shame.
House where Santander Stayed
On the block west of the plaza is a minor attraction. It’s a colonial house where General Francisco de Paula Santander (1792-1840) stayed on April 30, 1811. A plaque on the building commemorates the event.
House of José Celestino Mutis
Around the corner you’ll find the House of José Celestino Mutis (Casa de José Celestino Mutis), also known as the House of the Painters (Casa de los Pintores). It was built in 1700 was later owned by Archbishop and Viceroy Antonio Caballero y Góngora (1723-1796). The viceroy personally offered the house to Mutis in July 1783 as his official residence and workshop.
The house also hosted the first drawing school of the Royal Botanical Expedition, with 18 full-time painters including Francisco Javier Matiz (1763-1861) and Salvador Rizo (c. 1762-1816). They worked with watercolor, tempera, and ink. The 2,600 drawings made there are now housed at the Royal Botanical Garden of Madrid. Replicas of many are on display inside. Admission is free (as of June 2025).
Sanctuary of the Miraculous Lord of the Hermitage
A couple blocks northeast of the plaza is the Sanctuary of the Miraculous Lord of the Hermitage (Capilla Santuario del Milagroso Señor de La Ermita). In my opinion, it’s the most beautiful historic site in Mariquita.
The chapel was built between 1574 and 1578 during the reign of Felipe II. It was designed in the Colonial style with Baroque elements from Andalusia. Work was carried out by indigenous slaves and financed by income from the local mines. The site was originally intended as a shrine for the Calvary, where an image of crucified Christ would be displayed. At the front of the chapel is a stone bell tower. The walls are over a meter thick.
The chapel has a single nave with two arches. In the central niche behind the main altar is the Miraculous Christ of the Walkers (Cristo Milagroso de los Caminantes), an image of crucified Christ that participated in a Christian Crusade and the Battle of Lepanto on October 7, 1571. The other niches contain statues of the Virgin, saints, and angels. The side niche, with an image of Our Lady of Sorrows, is protected by a wooden frame of angels adorned with bunches of grapes.
Casa de la Moneda
Across the street is the Casa de la Moneda, which was founded in 1551 and features secret rooms and tunnels. It was one of the first places in the Americas where coins were minted, from 1590 to 1627, and also functioned as a warehouse for gold and silver extracted from the local mines. The building functions as a museum and is supposed to be open daily, but was closed during our visit.
Ruins of the Church of Santa Lucía
Finally, a couple blocks south of the plaza are the ruins of the Church of Santa Lucía (Iglesia de Santa Lucía), which was part of the Convent of Santo Domingo (Convento de Santo Domingo). It was built starting in 1565 and fell during an earthquake on January 3, 1805.
Spanish conquistador Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada was buried at the church from the time of his death on February 16, 1579, until his remains were exhumed and transferred to the Cathedral of Bogotá in July 1597. The ruins were also the last place where president of the Free State of Mariquita José León Armero (1775-1816) prayed on October 31, 1816, before he was led to the gallows in Honda.
The Mangostino in Mariquita
Mariquita is one of the best places in Colombia to get your hands on a mangostino (mangosteen). This delicious fruit native to the islands of Southeast Asia arrived in Colombia in the early 20th century. Go during the harvest season to get the best quality from the fruit markets in town and vendors along the highway.
The Museo de Mangostino, which is a block south of the plaza, sells products made from the fruit including tea, juice, wine, and cosmetics. They also have breakfasts and coffee.
