Monserrate is a hill with a Catholic Church is a sanctuary that has been visited by millions of pilgrims since its founding in 1640. It is at 10.300 feet above sea level and has three different ways to go: by 1500-steps hike to the top (60 to 90 minutes' walk) is open from 5am (closed Tuesday). It's a popular activity on weekends for locals (free entrance). Also, the transportation mode is a cable car or funicular.
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Villa de Leyva Town ( 1 night stay)Founded in 1572, initially Villa de Leyva was established close to the Indian Astronomic Observatory in a place called Zaquencipá Valley, occupied by the "Muiscas" tribe, which is considered to be the most important Indian tribe in Colombia. Then twelve years later was moved to its actual location. Also, a variety of fossils have been found in the vicinity of Villa de Leyva. A Plesiosaurus, believed to be more than 115 million years old, was discovered in the area in 1945.
Villa de Leyva was a great agricultural tradition that goes back to the colony with the flour industry, thanks to 17 mills that produce much of the flour consumed by the royalty of New Granada. During the colonization, Villa de Leyva was a principal producer of oil olive and some cereals, especially wheat and barley. It was chosen as a favorite place for Spanish families and especially as place to rest for viceroys |
After centuries of neglect, the main square was restored and the town declared a national monument. The architecture of Villa de Leyva has a Spanish style. You can see in the construction of most of the houses in the village, their wonderful balconies, arcs and main doors, is a place of inspiration to poets and writers.
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