Tunja city - Boyacá

Tunja is Boyacá´s capital, its economy depend of commerce. It is considered an eminently student city, because there are several universities. Many students come from Boyacá for studying in Tunja.

Tunja has historic places, several ancient residences that go back to XV and XVII centuries. The great particularities are their churches, the principal cultural richness; they present an incredible colonial architecture plenty of constructions and details made of wood and gold.

Historic Places

San Ignacio Church

The facade flaunts stone works of symbols or religious emblems. It is estimated that these works of art go back to XVII century.

El Pozo de Donato

It was one of the holiest lagoons of Chibchas, was called “Pozo de Donato” in colonial epoch. It is a small lagoon with cold waters that run by Tunja’s subsoil. It is located to the north of Tunja city in the university campus.

It is one of the most representative places of Tunja. There are some legends about the lagoon; many people tell that this one doesn’t have bottom and that Tunja is supported by pillars.

El Mono de La Pila

It is a monument situated in the main square of Tunja. It was built almost three centuries ago, the inhabitants used to provide them water of this water fountain. Mono de la Pila is so respected; it is believed that people should be quiet in his presence because he has a finger on the mouth as a signal of silence.

Los Mártires Wall

This place was built in honor to martyrs who died in search of independence.  José Cayetano and Juan Nepomuceno Niño doctors, also Jose Ramos Lineros colonel were sacrificed at the foot of the Wall.

This historical place represents one of the most devastating and worthy facts of the country. On the marble columns are engraved the names of other martyrs.

Casa del Escribano Juan Vargas

It is a mansion with singular pictorial decorations. It is the most interesting place of XVI in Latin America. It is possible to observe some details of architecture of that epochs, and historic objects too.

Cojines del Zaque

It is located on the San Lázaro slopes to the west of Tunja. They are two stones that were sculpted by Chibchas, those stones are known as “cojín”.

International Festival of Tunja Culture

This festival began in 1973 in a cultural week, where many national and foreign artists participate, showing many cultural displays.
Nowadays, it is one of the best cultural displays in Colombia, for this event Boyacá department works on the preparations one month in advance. Many art, films and theater are presented. There are musical presentations of rock, jazz, tango and bolero. All this celebration is carried out in May.