GENERAL INFORMATION

 

Capital: Bucaramanga
Altitude: 960 (Bucaramanga)
Temperature: 25 degrees C
Population: 1.625.000
Economy: Industry, commerce, agriculture.
Telephone Prefix : 7 (097)
Getting there: Land or Air
Distance and Time from Bogota:
Land: 373 km
Air: 55 minutes

Santander was founded June 3, 1539 by Martín Galeano. Santander has existed as a sovereign state since 1857. Since 1886, Santander has been a department and its capital Bucaramanga. It has one of the most mountainous territories of the country, as the Eastern Andes Range crosses the northern part of the department.

 

ATTRACTIONS

VIEWS

FISHING: The road that leads to Bogota has an exceptional vista of the River Chicamocha Canyon.

HISTORICAL - CULTURAL

GIRÓN: Founded in 1631, its gold mines made it an important city during colonization. It left a fabulous architectural legacy to Colombia and has been declared a National Monument. The Museum of Religious ARt, with valuable paintings and antique religious artifacts is outstanding. The Cathedral of the Lord of Miracles, a place of pilgrimage, and the Corregidor Chapel are also located on the outskirts of town.

GUANE: A colonial population that stands out for the XVII century church with the Santa Lucia Sanctuary. Also, it has a fantastic Archeological Museum with an important collection of marine fossils, colonial books, and antiques.


SOCORRO: The cradle of the beginning of Comuneros (the revolutionaries that began the fight for liberty), is located in the Comunera Province in the North Eastern part of the department. It was founded in 1681 and in 1711 it was given the title of "Noble and Loyal Village". In 1781 Manuela Beltrán broke the edict that raised taxes and contributions -- this led to the rebellion of the Comuneros. In the Main Plaza, you can appreciate monuments to José Antonio Galán, the leader of the revolutionaries, and Antonia Santos. Other attractions are the house of culture and the cathedral.

BARICHARA: Barichara was founded by the Padrilla de la Parra family venerating the virgin of the Piedra. In 1975 Barichara received the prize of "The prettiest village in Colombia." In 1975 it was declared a national monument. It is a town of cobble-stoned streets and wooden balconies -- an oasis of peace. Among some of its activities, it's important to note:

BARICHARA EL CAMINO REAL: A road that goes from Barichara to Guane and has a longitude of one and a half leagues where the Glorieta Piedra of Bolivar begins. To walk this road is an eco-touristic adventure where you can retrace the steps of the aboriginal people, the Guanes, and our muleteer ancestors. Walking down this road is like walking back in time -- to another world, another century. It was declared a National Monument in 1988.

BARICHARA - AQUILEO PARRA BIRTH HOME: A monument located to the south of the city that epitomizes democracy. Simple, straight-forward, there's a plaque on the building in bronze that says that there the ex-president of the United States of Colombia, Don Aquileo Parra Gómez, was born.

BARICHARA GRAND BRIDGE : A colonial construction similar to what you see in and around Boyacá. It's surrounded by old horse trails. The bridge was constructed by the German Geo Von Lenguerque during the 1870s.

BARICHARA JESUS CHAPEL: The cemetery is a peaceful, beautiful place to visit. Here you can appreciate the diversity of carved stone and iron work. The Chapel is in the Spanish style.

BARICHARA ORATORY HOSPITAL: The chapel is dedicated to San Juan de Dios. Here you will find an internal patio of the Hospital of the same name. Pay close attention to the beauty of the marble-like wood.

BARICHARA THE INMACULATE CONCEPTION AND SAN LORENZO MÁRTIR: The cupola of the Barichara temple resembles that of St. Peters in the Vatican City.

BARICHARA VISTAS: Between the Jorge Delgado Sierra Park and Rafael Ortiz Prada Park, you will find a vista that extends over 600 m from which point you can observe a spectacular panorama made up by the jewel of the Suárez River and the Lloriquies.

BARICHARA CHORRERA NATIONAL PARK: Enjoy the basin full of shady gardens, a variety of trees, surrounded by crystal creeks that run between stones and rocks, forming a little pond and a beautiful waterfall. It is of incomparable beauty.

BARICHARA MUSEUM HOUSE OF CULTURE EMILI PRADILLA GONZÁLEZ: A tourism office, exposition room, library, meeting rooms, and a museum with a considerable collection of fossils and photographs make this a great place for a visit.

NATURE

SAN GIL/ EL GALLINERAL: The historical center of this town with steep hills located on the banks of the Fonce River has been declared a National Monument. One of its greatest attractions is the Gallineral Park that is located on an island in the river. The lichen that hangs from the trees and the whispering sound of water makes this a place you don't want to miss!

Other attractions in San Gil are the Ragonessi Ecological Park, the Blue Pool Spa, the Gruta Mountain, La Cruz mountain, and many adventure sports like: canoeing, hiking, mountain biking, motor cross and more.

ACTIVIDADES

FAIRS AND FESTIVALS

FESTIVALS OF SAN JERÓNIMO: Dances to the Torbellino rhythm of the region, street parties, celebrations, and more. Celebrated in Málaga in January.

FESTIVAL OF LA GUABINA: This festival takes place the first week of August in Vélez with typical song, music, and dances from the region.

BONITA FAIR : Popular celebrations, livestock shows, commerce, and crafts, Bucaramanga celebrates the Bonita Fair the month of September.

GASTRONOMY

 

Santander cuisine has earned a reputation for being one of the most elaborate in the country. The traditional Santander dish is mute, corn soup seasoned with many grains. The pepitoria, prepared with goat intestines and blood, and the famous Culona Ants -- ants with thick abdomens, roasted over fire, believed to be aphrodisiacs. Moreover, the pastries and sweets of Santander stand out for their exquisite flavor and originality. They create delicious treats with celery, lemon, roots, rice and pineapple as well as the internationally known veleño guava sweet.

 

TRANSPORTATION

Air:
Airports
Airport of Palonegro. Tel: 633-7697, 633-8964, 633-7697.

Commercial Airlines:
Avianca
Satena
Aerorepublica

Land
Bus Station: ( Buses, taxis ):
Bus Station : Avenida central Metropolitana, Tel: 644-5572.

 

COMMUNICATION

 

Newspapers:

Vanguardia Liberal

HOTELS - LODGING

FOOD - RESTAURANTS

ENTERTAINMENT

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