Palacio Municipal

The Palacio Municipal anchors one end of the old town's central block with a solid, well-proportioned colonial façade. It is still a working government building — the local administration operates from inside — which gives it more life than a pure heritage monument. The arcaded ground floor facing the street is typical of the Tolima colonial style: thick walls, broad arches, a covered walkway that offers shade from the brutal sun.

The building is worth a look from the outside even if you cannot get in. The detail around the entrance and the proportions of the courtyard (visible through the front door on weekdays) show the craft that went into colonial civic architecture when Honda was prosperous. The interior is not a formal tourist attraction, but staff are generally friendly to curious visitors who ask politely.

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A story
Honda's municipal palace was built on the site of an earlier colonial structure, and the town has served as a departmental capital and administrative centre at various points in Colombian history. During the Wars of Independence, Honda was a key strategic point on the route between the coast and Bogotá, and the buildings around this plaza changed hands more than once.