Villa de Leyva

Villa de Leyva
Villa de Leyva (sometimes spelt Villa de Leiva) is a beautiful colonial town located 165 km’s north of Bogota. The town is considered one of the finest colonial towns in Colombia and was declared a National Monument on December 17, 1954 in order to preserve its architecture. At an altitude of 2,144 meters, Villa de Leyva has a nice spring like climate that its 4500 inhabitants enjoy year round.
Cobble stone streets and white washed colonial buildings are a main feature of the town but the main square (or ‘Plaza Mayor’ in Spanish) is the masterpiece. The square is one of the largest in the Americas, some 14,000 square meters, all of which is covered in large cobblestones and on all four sides by stunning colonial architecture.
The Cathedral on the main square and the Iglesia del Carmen are two fantastic examples of religious architecture. Museums also feature in the town with the Casa-Museo Luis Alberto Acuña (a local artist’s museum), Casa de Antionio Ricuarte (house of the local hero who fought in Simon Bolivar’s army) and the Religious art museum being the pick of the bunch.
Outdoor restaurants, small cafes and an extremely laid back feel, make Villa de Leyva a popular weekend location for people from Bogota and tourists alike. We are sure you will enjoy the peace and tranquility of this beautiful destination.