Colombia (Lonely Planet, 5th Edition) - Jens Porup [78]
CASA DEL PRIMER CONGRESO DE LAS PROVINCIAS UNIDAS
On October 4, 1812, legislators met here to install the First Congress of the short-lived United Provinces of New Granada and elect its first president, Camilo Torres Tenorio. The 2nd floor of the Casa del Primer Congreso (cnr Carrera 9 & Calle 13; admission free; 10am-1pm & 2-5pm Mon-Sat) houses a small museum that contains the congressional desk, documents and other artifacts.
LA CASA DE LA REAL FÁBRICA DE LICORES
This huge colonial factory once supplied the entire region with its boozy needs. Today, the Fábrica de Licores (Calle 13 s/n btwn Carreras 8 & 9; admission free; 10am-noon & 2-6pm Mon-Fri & Sun, 2-8pm Sat) is a museum with rotating exhibits by artists such as renowned Colombian painter Duván López.
MUSEO DEL CARMEN
One of the best museums of religious art in the country, Museo del Carmen (Plazuela del Carmen; admission COP$3000; 10am-1pm & 2-5pm Sat, Sun & holidays) is housed in the convent of the same name. It contains valuable paintings, carvings, altarpieces and other religious objects dating from the 16th century onward.
MUSEO PALEONTOLÓGICO
About 1km northeast of town, Museo Paleontológico ( 732 0466; Via Arcabuco; admission COP$3000; 9am-noon & 2-5pm Tue-Sun) has a collection of locally found fossils dating from the period when the area was a sea bed (100 to 150 million years ago).
CHURCHES
Villa de Leyva has four churches, all dating back to the town’s early years. The Iglesia Parroquial (Plaza Mayor; 7-8am & 6:30-8pm Mon-Sat, 7-8am, 10-11am, noon-1pm & 6:30-8pm Sun), the parish church facing the main square, was built in 1608 and has hardly changed since that time. It boasts a marvelous baroque main retable. The only other church currently in religious service, the Iglesia del Carmen (Calle 14 No 10-04; 6:30-8am Mon-Sat, 6:30-8am & 11am-noon Sun), has interesting paintings in the chancel and the wooden structure supporting the roof. Iglesia de San Francisco (cnr Carrera 8 & Calle 10) and Iglesia de San Agustín (Parque Ricaurte) no longer serve a religious purpose and are not open to the public.
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Activities
There are many hiking possibilities all around Villa de Leyva, as well as some longer treks in the Santuario de Iguaque. In town, there’s a great hike that begins directly behind Renacer Guesthouse, passing two waterfalls to reach a spectacular bird’s-eye view of the village; the round-trip hike takes less than two hours. For a shorter trip but a less dramatic view, walk southeast of the market and climb the hill behind the Hospedería Duruelo.
The alternative to foot power is cycling or horseback riding; both can be booked at the tourist office or directly from one of the tour operators following. Bikes cost about COP$3000 per hour and COP$10,000 for a half-day; horses are COP$5000 per hour.
Swimming holes can be found beneath many of the nearby waterfalls. The two most spectacular falls in the area are La Periquera and El Hayal. In town, you can take the plunge at the freshwater swimming pool at Hostería del Molino La Mesopotamia. More extreme sporting options in the area include rappelling, canyoning and caving. These activities can be arranged through the following tour companies.
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LOCAL VOICE: OSCAR GILÈDE
Age: 40
Occupation: Biologist; owner of Renacer Guesthouse
Residence: Villa de Leyva
‘I first came to Villa de Leyva as a biologist to conduct scientific research on ecological disturbances. Now I am devoted to environmental education, scientific tourism and ecotourism.
‘Villa de Leyva is one of the oldest and best-preserved colonial cities in Colombia, characterized by its architectural