Bolívar square
| Plaza Bolívar | |
View of Bolívar Square
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 Position of Bolívar Square in Bogotá
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| 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
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| Coordinates | 4°35′53″N 74°4′34″W / 4.59806°N 74.07611°WCoordinates: 4°35′53″N 74°4′34″W / 4.59806°N 74.07611°W |
| North | Calle 11 |
| East | Carrera 7 |
| South | Calle 10 |
| West | Carrera 8 |
| Construction | |
| Construction start | April 27, 1539 |
| Inauguration | July 20, 1846 |
| Other | |
| Status |
National monument (October 19, 1995) |
The Bolívar Square (Spanish: Plaza de Bolívar or Plaza 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 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).
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, 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.
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