Chía city - Cundinamarca

It is a municipality in Cundinamarca department; its name comes from chibcha language and means “moon” or “month”. It is placed to the north of Bogotá on road towards Zipaquirá.

It is divided in 8 municipal rural settlements including the Urban Area; they are Bojacá, Cerca de Piedra, Fagua, Fongueta, Fusca, La Balsa, Tiquiza and Hierbabuena.

It was a settlement during muisca epoch in honor to the Moon. Due to its proximity to Bogotá, it has become a dormitory suburb of the capital, and also has the main supermarkets in the country.

Location

It borders at north with Bogotá District (Usaquén and Suba localitites) and Cota, with Tabio and Tenjo to the west, Cajicá to the north and Sopó to the west.

How to get to Chía

It is possible to arrive by Cota way, the North highway, Cajicá and Zipaquirá and other municipal and settlements roads.

Tourist Attractions

Sanctuary of Valvaneda

It was built in rural land, on one of the hills of “Cerro de La Cruz”, to the west of the municipality, on road Chía-Tunjo.

Marroquín Castle

It was built in 1918, according European drafts, during Thousand Years War. It was José Manuel Marroquín´s house and was entertainment place of other presidents, its figure is and exotic symbol of Middle Ages. Several legends and mysteries of ghosts, panic, globins and UFO´s are told about.

Puente del Cacique (bridge)

It was built for providing the passage of cattle, light vehicles and horses above Frío River, during the colonial epoch.

La Montaña del Oso (mountain)

It is 40 minutes away from Bogotá, is at 3,200 meters above the sea level and has 10 ºC temperature. It is in Herbabuena rural settlement.

Monument to Chibchas

It is located in Santander Park, was built in 1935. The base is formed by a triangular pyramid which is truncated on three circular stairs that represents the Trinity, reflected in three important facts: water, fire and nature. It is possible to appreciate the woman statue that symbolizes the sowing and the man which represents the harvest.

Church of Santa Lucía

Santa Lucía Church is placed in Santander Park, was began by Ricardo Garcia since 1887 to 1921.

Puente del Común (bridge)

It is the most representative work of colonial architecture. Domingo Esquiaqui is who built the bridge and Francisco Dávila the drafts. It has five big arches and a long parapet or auxiliary bridge on the marshy zone to Chía side. There are small stone carved columns.

The bridge was declared national monument of 1967, inaugurated in 1968, on the northwest road, a modern viaduct is placed on.

Other attractions

• Plaza Mayor Comercial Centre
• Historical Center or main park of Chía (In the downtown, with more than 1.000 m2.)
• Parque de Centro Chia (park)
• La Valvanera Church is placed on the occidental hill.
• “Sede Nacional de Asados de Avantel” in Fonquetá
• Museum of Fabian Humberto Ortega Ramírez and his brother Santiago Ortega Ramírez
• “Zona Rosa”, commonly known as "beehive"