The political and historic heart of Bogota, ringed by the Cathedral, the Congress, the Palace of Justice, and the city hall. The bronze statue of Simon Bolivar at the centre was the first monument to the Liberator erected in South America. Pigeons, street vendors, and occasional protests complete the scene. Start your exploration of La Candelaria here.
Four of Colombia's most significant institutions face the square: the Catedral Primada to the east, the Palacio de Justicia to the north (rebuilt after it was destroyed in a 1985 guerrilla siege), the Capitolio Nacional to the south, and the Alcaldía Mayor to the west. The square itself is vast and usually busy — school groups, street artists, and the occasional protest all use it as a stage.