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{{Short description|Main square of Bogotá, Colombia}} |
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{{For|other squares called Plaza Bolivar|Plaza Bolivar (disambiguation)}} |
{{For|other squares called Plaza Bolivar|Plaza Bolivar (disambiguation)}} |
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| name = Bolívar Square |
| name = Bolívar Square |
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| native_name = Plaza Bolívar |
| native_name ={{native name|es|Plaza Bolívar}} |
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| native_name_lang = es |
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| image = Plaza de Bolívar desde el Museo de la Independencia.JPG |
| image = Plaza de Bolívar desde el Museo de la Independencia.JPG |
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| area = {{convert|1.3903|ha|acre|abbr=on}} |
| area = {{convert|1.3903|ha|acre|abbr=on}} |
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| location = [[La Candelaria]], [[Bogotá]]<br />{{COL}} |
| location = [[La Candelaria, Bogotá|La Candelaria]], [[Bogotá]]<br />{{COL}} |
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The '''Bolívar Square''' ([[Spanish (language)|Spanish]]: '''''Plaza de Bolívar''''' or '''''Plaza Bolívar''''') is the main square of the [[Colombia]]n capital [[Bogotá]]. The square, previously called ''Plaza Mayor'' until 1821 and ''Plaza de la Constitución'', is located in the heart of the historical area of the city and hosts a statue of [[Simón Bolívar]], sculpted in 1846 by the Italian [[Pietro Tenerani]], which was the first public monument in the city. |
The '''Bolívar Square''' ([[Spanish (language)|Spanish]]: '''''Plaza de Bolívar''''' or '''''Plaza Bolívar''''') is the main square of the [[Colombia]]n capital [[Bogotá]]. The square, previously called ''Plaza Mayor'' until 1821 and ''Plaza de la Constitución'', is located in the heart of the historical area of the city and hosts a statue of [[Simón Bolívar]], sculpted in 1846 by the Italian [[Pietro Tenerani]], which was the first public monument in the city. |
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The history of Bolívar Square dates back to the pre-Columbian era, when the site was part of the [[Muisca Confederation]]. The first building on the square, a primitive cathedral, was constructed in 1539, a year after the foundation of the Colombian capital. During the Spanish colonial period, Bolívar Square was the stage for circus acts, public markets and bullfights. The square is surrounded by historical buildings; the Palace of Justice is located on the northern edge and the [[Capitolio Nacional|National Capitol]] borders the square in the south. The [[Primary Cathedral of Bogotá]] and the [[Palacio Liévano|Liévano Palace]], seat of the [[mayor of Bogotá]], are situated on the eastern and western side respectively. |
The history of Bolívar Square dates back to the pre-Columbian era, when the site was part of the [[Muisca Confederation]]. The first building on the square, a primitive cathedral, was constructed in 1539, a year after the foundation of the Colombian capital. During the Spanish colonial period, Bolívar Square was the stage for circus acts, public markets and bullfights. The square is surrounded by historical buildings; the [[Palace of Justice of Colombia|Palace of Justice]] is located on the northern edge and the [[Capitolio Nacional|National Capitol]] borders the square in the south. The [[Primary Cathedral of Bogotá]], next to the Archiepiscopal Palace with the monumental door cast by [[Ferdinando Marinelli Artistic Foundry]] and the [[Palacio Liévano|Liévano Palace]], seat of the [[mayor of Bogotá]], are situated on the eastern and western side respectively. |
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Bolívar Square is a main tourist attraction in [[La Candelaria]] of Bogotá and the site for various manifestations and protests. |
Bolívar Square is a main tourist attraction in [[La Candelaria, Bogotá|La Candelaria]] of Bogotá and the site for various manifestations and protests. |
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== Description == |
== Description == |
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[[File:Estatua de la plaza de Bolívar en Bogotá.JPG|thumb|right|250px|Statue of Simón Bolívar on the square]] |
[[File:Estatua de la plaza de Bolívar en Bogotá.JPG|thumb|right|250px|Statue of Simón Bolívar on the square]] |
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Bolívar Square is bordered by the streets Calle 10 in the south and Calle 11 in the north and Carrera 7 and Carrera 8 in the east and west respectively. The area is approximately {{convert|13903|m2|sqft}}.<ref name= |
Bolívar Square is bordered by the streets Calle 10 in the south and Calle 11 in the north and Carrera 7 and Carrera 8 in the east and west respectively. The area is approximately {{convert|13903|m2|sqft}}.<ref name="Bogota.Gov Bolivar">{{in lang|es}} [http://www.bogota.gov.co/article/temas-de-ciudad/cultura-y-recreacion/lo-que-usted-no-conocia-de-la-plaza-de-bolivar-de-bogota Lo que usted no conocía de la Plaza de Bolívar de Bogotá] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160504114720/http://www.bogota.gov.co/article/temas-de-ciudad/cultura-y-recreacion/lo-que-usted-no-conocia-de-la-plaza-de-bolivar-de-bogota |date=4 May 2016 }}</ref> |
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=== Buildings === |
=== Buildings === |
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! Edge |
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! Building |
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! Function |
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! Constructed |
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! Image |
! Image |
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| North || [[ |
| North || [[Palace of Justice of Colombia|Palace of Justice]] || Seat of the [[Judiciary of Colombia]] || {{center|1998}} || [[File:PalacioDeJusticia2004-7-9Bogota.jpg|center|120px]] |
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| West || [[Palacio Liévano|Liévano Palace]] || {{center|1902–1905}} || [[File:57 - Bogota - Décembre 2008.jpg|center|120px]] |
| West || [[Palacio Liévano|Liévano Palace]] || City Hall of Bogotá || {{center|1902–1905}} || [[File:57 - Bogota - Décembre 2008.jpg|center|120px]] |
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| South || [[Capitolio Nacional|National Capitol]] || Seat of the [[Colombian Congress]] || {{center|1846–1926}} || [[File:CapitolioNacionalDeColombia2004-7.jpg|center|120px]] |
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| East || [[Primary Cathedral of Bogotá]] || {{center|completed in 1823}} || [[File:CatedralPrimadaBogota2004-7.jpg|center|120px]] |
| East || [[Primary Cathedral of Bogotá]] || Seat of the [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Bogotá|Archbishop of Bogotá and Primate of Colombia]] || {{center|completed in 1823}} || [[File:CatedralPrimadaBogota2004-7.jpg|center|120px]] |
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[[File:Muisca astronomy - Position Sué - Bolívar Square & Eastern Hills, Bogotá - English Version - Long.gif|right|thumb|400px|Animation of Sué rising at the solstices and equinoxes above the Eastern Hills, as seen from Bolívar Square]] |
[[File:Muisca astronomy - Position Sué - Bolívar Square & Eastern Hills, Bogotá - English Version - Long.gif|right|thumb|400px|Animation of Sué rising at the solstices and equinoxes above the Eastern Hills, as seen from Bolívar Square]] |
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{{See also|Muisca Confederation#Bacatá}} |
{{See also|Muisca Confederation#Bacatá}} |
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The history of Bolívar Square goes back to [[pre-Columbian era|pre-Columbian times]], when the area was inhabited by the [[Muisca people|Muisca]]. The indigenous Muisca, one of the four grand civilisations in the Americas,<ref name= |
The history of Bolívar Square goes back to [[pre-Columbian era|pre-Columbian times]], when the area was inhabited by the [[Muisca people|Muisca]]. The indigenous Muisca, one of the [[List of pre-Columbian cultures|four grand civilisations in the Americas]],<ref name="Ocampo p226">Ocampo López, 2007, p. 226</ref> (together with the Inca, Aztec, Mayan, and Olmec civilizations) had an advanced knowledge of the solar and lunar cycles, represented in their complex [[lunisolar calendar|lunisolar]] [[Muisca calendar]]. At various locations throughout their [[Muisca Confederation]], the people constructed [[Muisca religion|temples]] honouring their main deities; [[Sué]], the Sun, and his consort [[Chía (goddess)|Chía]], the Moon. |
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Studies published about the [[Muisca astronomy]] in 2011 and 2017 by Julio Bonilla Romero, revealed that the Sun seen from the northeastern corner of Bolívar Square, at the June [[solstice]] rises exactly above [[Monserrate]] and at the December solstice above [[Guadalupe Hill]].<ref name= |
Studies published about the [[Muisca astronomy]] in 2011 and 2017 by Julio Bonilla Romero, revealed that the Sun seen from the northeastern corner of Bolívar Square, at the June [[solstice]] rises exactly above [[Monserrate]] and at the December solstice above [[Guadalupe Hill]].<ref name="Bonilla p9">Bonilla Romero, 2011, p. 9</ref> At the [[equinox]]es of March and September, Sué rises from the valley between these two landmarks in the [[Eastern Hills, Bogotá|Eastern Hills]] of the city.<ref name="Bonilla p153">Bonilla Romero et al., 2017, p. 153</ref> |
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=== Colonial history === |
=== Colonial history === |
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{{See also|History of Bogotá|Timeline of Bogotá}} |
{{See also|History of Bogotá|Timeline of Bogotá}} |
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[[List of conquistadors in Colombia|Conquistador]] [[Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada]], after defeating the last ''[[zipa]]'' of the southern Muisca [[Tisquesusa]] in 1537, founded the city of Bogotá on 6 August 1538. Two other main expeditions reached the newly founded capital of the [[New Kingdom of Granada]] in 1539; led by [[Nikolaus Federmann]] from the east and [[Sebastián de Belalcázar]] from the south. The [[Spanish Empire|Spanish]] conquistadors established the first cathedral of the city on the northeastern corner of the ''Plaza Mayor''.<ref name= |
[[List of conquistadors in Colombia|Conquistador]] [[Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada]], after defeating the last ''[[zipa]]'' of the southern Muisca [[Tisquesusa]] in 1537, founded the city of Bogotá on 6 August 1538. Two other main expeditions reached the newly founded capital of the [[New Kingdom of Granada]] in 1539; led by [[Nikolaus Federmann]] from the east and [[Sebastián de Belalcázar]] from the south. The [[Spanish Empire|Spanish]] conquistadors established the first cathedral of the city on the northeastern corner of the ''Plaza Mayor''.<ref name="ColParques Bolivar">{{in lang|es}} [http://www.colparques.net/PBOLIVAR Plaza de Bolívar] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161018053124/http://colparques.net/PBOLIVAR |date=18 October 2016 }} – Colparques</ref> |
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From the city's founding, the square was the site of a [[pillory]], "La Picota," where public punishments were conducted for nearly a half-century. It was replaced by a public water source in 1583.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Hitos de la plaza de Bolívar en 400 años de historia|date=12 July 2019|work=El Tiempo|page=3.1}}</ref> |
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| ⚫ |
During the early colonial period |
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| ⚫ | During the early colonial period, the ''Plaza Mayor'' was a market square, where [[circus]] acts, civil, religious and cultural events, and until 1681 [[bullfighting|bullfights]] were held. In the same year, a fountain was built on the square.<ref name="Bogota.Gov Bolivar" /> The first buildings were the primitive cathedral on the eastern side, followed by a three-story building constructed in 1545, two-story buildings on the northern and western edges for the principal merchants of the city in 1570, and between 1578 and 1582 the [[Real Audiencia]] building in the southwestern corner was built. In the southeastern corner of the square, the [[Mayor School of San Bartolomé]], a secondary school institution, originally a university, was established by the [[Society of Jesus|Jesuits]] in 1604. The [[Holy Chapel (Bogotá)|Holy Chapel]] was built at the end of the 17th century and the [[Viceroyalty]] Palace on the southeastern corner started construction in 1719 and was inaugurated in 1724.<ref name="ColParques Bolivar" /> The Palace was completely burned down in 1776.<ref name="Bogota.Gov Bolivar" /> |
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| ⚫ |
The present-day Primary Cathedral on the eastern side dates from the early 19th century; construction was started in 1807 by [[Domingo de Petres]] and finished in 1823.<ref name= |
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| ⚫ | The present-day Primary Cathedral on the eastern side dates from the early 19th century; construction was started in 1807 by [[Domingo de Petres]] and finished in 1823.<ref name="Bogota.Gov Bolivar" /> |
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=== Republican period === |
=== Republican period === |
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[[File:Plaza Mayor de Bogotá, 1846.JPG|thumb|right|250px|Bolívar Square in 1846]] |
[[File:Plaza Mayor de Bogotá, 1846.JPG|thumb|right|250px|Bolívar Square in 1846]] |
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In the [[Vase House]] on the northeastern corner, now also known as the Museum of the 20th July, occurred the ''[[Colombian Declaration of Independence|Call for Independence]]'' on 20 July 1810, the first independence attempt from the [[Spanish Empire|Spanish]] rule in [[Colombia]]. [[Camilo Torres Tenorio]] was executed on the square in 1816. The Bolívar Square was called ''Plaza de la Constitución'' (Constitution Square) from 1821 onwards, until the placement of the statue honouring [[Simon Bolívar]] in 1846.<ref name= |
In the [[Vase House]] on the northeastern corner, now also known as the Museum of the 20th July, occurred the ''[[Colombian Declaration of Independence|Call for Independence]]'' on 20 July 1810, the first independence attempt from the [[Spanish Empire|Spanish]] rule in [[Colombia]]. [[Camilo Torres Tenorio]] was executed on the square in 1816. The Bolívar Square was called ''Plaza de la Constitución'' (Constitution Square) from 1821 onwards, until the placement of the statue honouring [[Simon Bolívar]] in 1846.<ref name="Bogota Turismo Bolivar">{{in lang|es}} [http://bogotaturismo.gov.co/node/2346 Plaza de Bolívar] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170118053133/http://bogotaturismo.gov.co/node/2346 |date=18 January 2017 }}</ref> The [[Capitolio Nacional|National Capitol]] on the southern side, the seat of the [[Colombian Congress]], was initiated in 1846 but due to the political instability of the country it was not finished until 1926.<ref name="Bogota Capitolio">{{in lang|es}} [http://bogotaturismo.gov.co/capitolio-nacional Capitolio Nacional] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170118051841/http://bogotaturismo.gov.co/capitolio-nacional |date=18 January 2017 }}</ref> The French-style building located on the western side of the square known as the [[Palacio Liévano|Liévano Palace]], was constructed between 1902 and 1905. As of 1974 it is the seat for the [[List of mayors of Bogotá|Mayor of Bogotá]].<ref name="Escovar p69">Escovar, 2002, p. 69</ref> |
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=== Modern history === |
=== Modern history === |
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[[File:Acuerdo humanitario (2244625866).jpg|thumb|right|250px|Protests on Bolívar Square, 2008]] |
[[File:Acuerdo humanitario (2244625866).jpg|thumb|right|250px|Protests on Bolívar Square, 2008]] |
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The [[Palace of Justice of Colombia|Palace of Justice]], a large [[International Style (architecture)|international style]] building where the [[Supreme Court of Colombia|Supreme Court]] is housed, was first built in 1921 but was destroyed by a fire during the [[Bogotazo]] after the murder of [[Jorge Eliécer Gaitán]] in April 1948. A new palace was built on the north side of the Bolívar Square, but was destroyed again in November 1985 by the guerrilla movement [[19th of April Movement|M-19]] |
The [[Palace of Justice of Colombia|Palace of Justice]], a large [[International Style (architecture)|international style]] building where the [[Supreme Court of Colombia|Supreme Court]] is housed, was first built in 1921 but was destroyed by a fire during the [[Bogotazo]] after the murder of [[Jorge Eliécer Gaitán]] in April 1948. A new palace was built on the north side of the Bolívar Square, but was destroyed again in November 1985 during the "[[Palace of Justice Siege]]",by both the guerrilla movement [[19th of April Movement|M-19]] and the [[Colombian Army]]. The ruins of the building were kept untouched until 1989, when the government decided to construct a third (and current) building on the location, of which construction started in 1998.<ref name="Bogota Palacio">{{in lang|es}} [http://bogotaturismo.gov.co/palacio-de-justicia Palacio de Justicia] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170118053145/http://bogotaturismo.gov.co/palacio-de-justicia |date=18 January 2017 }}</ref> |
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Bolívar Square was proposed national monument on 26 October 1994 and received that status on 19 October 1995.<ref name= |
Bolívar Square was proposed as a national monument on 26 October 1994 and received that status on 19 October 1995.<ref name="Monumento Bolivar">{{in lang|es}} [http://www.suin-juriscol.gov.co/clp/contenidos.dll/Decretos/1353580?fn=document-frame.htm$f=templates$3.0 Decreto número 1802 de 1995 (octubre 19) – Declaración Monumento Nacional, Inmuebles representativos de la arquitectura moderna en Colombia] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170118135148/http://www.suin-juriscol.gov.co/clp/contenidos.dll/Decretos/1353580?fn=document-frame.htm$f=templates$3.0 |date=18 January 2017 }}</ref> |
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Bolívar Square has a long history as site for various |
Bolívar Square has a long history as site for various protests. In July 1947, more than 100,000 people protested during the night.<ref name="Banco Bolivar">{{in lang|es}} [http://www.banrepcultural.org/node/86455 El día en que mataron a Gaitán] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170118052927/http://www.banrepcultural.org/node/86455 |date=18 January 2017 }} – [[Bank of the Republic (Colombia)|Banco de la República]]</ref> During a protest in 2016, students camped on the square.<ref name="Espectador Camping">{{in lang|es}} [http://www.elespectador.com/noticias/paz/jovenes-acampan-indefinidamente-plaza-de-bolivar-pedir-articulo-659031 Jóvenes acampan indefinidamente en Plaza de Bolívar para pedir que salven acuerdo con Farc] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170118052038/http://www.elespectador.com/noticias/paz/jovenes-acampan-indefinidamente-plaza-de-bolivar-pedir-articulo-659031 |date=18 January 2017 }} – [[El Espectador]]</ref> |
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== References == |
== References == |
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{{ |
{{Reflist|30em}} |
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=== Bibliography === |
=== Bibliography === |
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* {{cite |
* {{cite journal |last=Bonilla Romero |first=Julio H. |last2=Bustos Velazco |first2=Edier H. |last3=Duvan Reyes |first3=Jaime |year=2017 |title=Arqueoastronomía, alineaciones solares de solsticios y equinoccios en Bogotá-Bacatá – Archaeoastronomy, alignment solar from solstices and equinoxes in Bogota-Bacatá |url=http://revistas.udistrital.edu.co/ojs/index.php/revcie/article/view/11266/12016 |journal=Revista Científica, [[District University of Bogotá|Universidad Distrital Francisco José de Caldas]] |volume=27 |pages=146-155 |accessdate=2017-01-10}} |
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* {{cite |
* {{cite journal |last=Bonilla Romero |first=Julio H |year=2011 |title=Aproximaciones al observatorio solar de Bacatá-Bogotá-Colombia – Approaches to solar observatory Bacatá-Bogotá-Colombia |url=http://revistas.udistrital.edu.co/ojs/index.php/azimut/article/view/4055/5984 |journal=Azimut, [[District University of Bogotá|Universidad Distrital Francisco José de Caldas]] |volume=3 |pages=9-15 |accessdate=2017-01-10}} |
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* {{cite |
* {{cite book |last=Escovar |first=Alberto W. |title=Bogotá: Historic Center |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qk1v-NAavNQC&pg=PA69 |year=2002 |publisher=Ediciones Gamma S.A. |page=69 |accessdate=2017-01-10}} |
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* {{cite |
* {{cite book |last=Ocampo López |author-link=Javier Ocampo López |first=Javier |year=2007 |title=Grandes culturas indígenas de América – Great indigenous cultures of the Americas |location=Bogotá, Colombia |publisher=Plaza & Janes Editores Colombia S.A. |isbn=978-958-14-0368-4 |pages=1–238}} |
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== External links == |
== External links == |
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View of Bolívar Square
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  Position of Bolívar Square in Bogotá | |
| Native name | Plaza Bolívar (Spanish) |
|---|---|
| Former name(s) | Plaza Mayor (1539–1821) Plaza de la Constitución (1821–1846) |
| Namesake | Simón Bolívar |
| Area | 1.3903 ha (3.436 acres) |
| Location | La Candelaria, Bogotá Colombia |
| Coordinates | 4°35′53″N 74°4′34″W / 4.59806°N 74.07611°W / 4.59806; -74.07611 |
| North | Calle 11 |
| East | Carrera 7 |
| South | Calle 10 |
| West | Carrera 8 |
| Construction | |
| Construction start | 27 April 1539 (1539-04-27) |
| Inauguration | 20 July 1846 (1846-07-20) |
| Other | |
| Status | National monument (19 October 1995) |
The Bolívar Square (Spanish: Plaza de BolívarorPlaza Bolívar) is the main square of the Colombian capital Bogotá. The square, previously called Plaza Mayor until 1821 and Plaza de la Constitución, is located in the heart of the historical area of the city and hosts a statue of Simón Bolívar, sculpted in 1846 by the Italian Pietro Tenerani, which was the first public monument in the city.
The history of Bolívar Square dates back to the pre-Columbian era, when the site was part of the Muisca Confederation. The first building on the square, a primitive cathedral, was constructed in 1539, a year after the foundation of the Colombian capital. During the Spanish colonial period, Bolívar Square was the stage for circus acts, public markets and bullfights. The square is surrounded by historical buildings; the Palace of Justice is located on the northern edge and the National Capitol borders the square in the south. The Primary Cathedral of Bogotá, next to the Archiepiscopal Palace with the monumental door cast by Ferdinando Marinelli Artistic Foundry and the Liévano Palace, seat of the mayor of Bogotá, are situated on the eastern and western side respectively.
Bolívar Square is a main tourist attraction in La Candelaria of Bogotá and the site for various manifestations and protests.
Bolívar Square is bordered by the streets Calle 10 in the south and Calle 11 in the north and Carrera 7 and Carrera 8 in the east and west respectively. The area is approximately 13,903 square metres (149,650 sq ft).[1]
| Edge | Building | Function | Constructed | Image |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North | Palace of Justice | Seat of the Judiciary of Colombia |
1998
|
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| West | Liévano Palace | City Hall of Bogotá |
1902–1905
|
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| South | National Capitol | Seat of the Colombian Congress |
1846–1926
|
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| East | Primary Cathedral of Bogotá | Seat of the Archbishop of Bogotá and Primate of Colombia |
completed in 1823
|
 |
The history of Bolívar Square goes back to pre-Columbian times, when the area was inhabited by the Muisca. The indigenous Muisca, one of the four grand civilisations in the Americas,[2] (together with the Inca, Aztec, Mayan, and Olmec civilizations) had an advanced knowledge of the solar and lunar cycles, represented in their complex lunisolar Muisca calendar. At various locations throughout their Muisca Confederation, the people constructed temples honouring their main deities; Sué, the Sun, and his consort Chía, the Moon.
Studies published about the Muisca astronomy in 2011 and 2017 by Julio Bonilla Romero, revealed that the Sun seen from the northeastern corner of Bolívar Square, at the June solstice rises exactly above Monserrate and at the December solstice above Guadalupe Hill.[3] At the equinoxes of March and September, Sué rises from the valley between these two landmarks in the Eastern Hills of the city.[4]
Conquistador Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada, after defeating the last zipa of the southern Muisca Tisquesusa in 1537, founded the city of Bogotá on 6 August 1538. Two other main expeditions reached the newly founded capital of the New Kingdom of Granada in 1539; led by Nikolaus Federmann from the east and Sebastián de Belalcázar from the south. The Spanish conquistadors established the first cathedral of the city on the northeastern corner of the Plaza Mayor.[5]
From the city's founding, the square was the site of a pillory, "La Picota," where public punishments were conducted for nearly a half-century. It was replaced by a public water source in 1583.[6]
During the early colonial period, the Plaza Mayor was a market square, where circus acts, civil, religious and cultural events, and until 1681 bullfights were held. In the same year, a fountain was built on the square.[1] The first buildings were the primitive cathedral on the eastern side, followed by a three-story building constructed in 1545, two-story buildings on the northern and western edges for the principal merchants of the city in 1570, and between 1578 and 1582 the Real Audiencia building in the southwestern corner was built. In the southeastern corner of the square, the Mayor School of San Bartolomé, a secondary school institution, originally a university, was established by the Jesuits in 1604. The Holy Chapel was built at the end of the 17th century and the Viceroyalty Palace on the southeastern corner started construction in 1719 and was inaugurated in 1724.[5] The Palace was completely burned down in 1776.[1]
The present-day Primary Cathedral on the eastern side dates from the early 19th century; construction was started in 1807 by Domingo de Petres and finished in 1823.[1]
In the Vase House on the northeastern corner, now also known as the Museum of the 20th July, occurred the Call for Independence on 20 July 1810, the first independence attempt from the Spanish rule in Colombia. Camilo Torres Tenorio was executed on the square in 1816. The Bolívar Square was called Plaza de la Constitución (Constitution Square) from 1821 onwards, until the placement of the statue honouring Simon Bolívar in 1846.[7] The National Capitol on the southern side, the seat of the Colombian Congress, was initiated in 1846 but due to the political instability of the country it was not finished until 1926.[8] The French-style building located on the western side of the square known as the Liévano Palace, was constructed between 1902 and 1905. As of 1974 it is the seat for the Mayor of Bogotá.[9]
The Palace of Justice, a large international style building where the Supreme Court is housed, was first built in 1921 but was destroyed by a fire during the Bogotazo after the murder of Jorge Eliécer Gaitán in April 1948. A new palace was built on the north side of the Bolívar Square, but was destroyed again in November 1985 during the "Palace of Justice Siege", by both the guerrilla movement M-19 and the Colombian Army. The ruins of the building were kept untouched until 1989, when the government decided to construct a third (and current) building on the location, of which construction started in 1998.[10]
Bolívar Square was proposed as a national monument on 26 October 1994 and received that status on 19 October 1995.[11]
Bolívar Square has a long history as site for various protests. In July 1947, more than 100,000 people protested during the night.[12] During a protest in 2016, students camped on the square.[13]
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Treasures of Colombia
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Source: Wills, Fernando; et al. (2001). Nuestro patrimonio – 100 tesoros de Colombia [Our heritage – 100 treasures of Colombia] (in Spanish). El Tiempo. pp. 1–311. ISBN 958-8089-16-6. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
