Bolívar Square

Bolívar Square

Bolívar Square is located in the heart of Bogotá and was originally known as Central Square. In 1536, Spanish colonizers arrived here, brutally oppressed the indigenous people, and drove them from their homes. In 1538, Spanish rulers began constructing the city of Santa Fe de Bogotá on this land stained with the blood of indigenous people. Remnants of that era's construction can still be seen on today’s Bolívar Square. After the establishment of the Republic of Gran Colombia in 1819, the square was renamed Bolívar Square in honor of Simón Bolívar, the founding father of the republic and liberator of Latin America.

Bolívar was a renowned military leader and statesman in Latin America. In 1810, the armed uprising organized by Bolívar drove the Spanish governor out of Venezuela, making him a symbol of the continent’s fight for independence. The spirited statue of Bolívar standing in Bogotá’s Bolívar Square was masterfully crafted by the famous Italian sculptor Pietro Tacca (note: corrected to likely intended name, Pietro Tenerani, based on context). People often lay flowers at the foot of the statue. The square is surrounded by grand and diverse buildings of varying architectural styles. Around the statue are four fountains adorned with colorful lights. At night, the square is brilliantly illuminated, and the fountains shoot water high into the air, creating a dazzling and enchanting scene that captivates all who visit.