Tucked away in the foothills of Bogotá’s Monserrate mountain is the picturesque and historic Casa Museo Quinta de Bolívar. This museum and country house belonged to Simón Bolívar, one of the most influential military leaders during the Latin American wars of independence. Explore the house to discover artifacts from his life and admire the beautiful garden.
Dating back to the late 17th century, the house was gifted to Simón Bolívar by Colombia’s newly independent government in appreciation of his help in the battle for independence. Bolívar used the house as a summer residence between 1820 and 1830. It was later used as a brewery, hospital and school before being turned into a museum.
Step inside the house to discover rooms preserved with their original décor. Look for portraits of Bolívar and his lover, Manuela Sáenz. Explore Bolívar’s original desk, uniform and sword in the master bedroom. See the bedroom of Bolívar’s servant José Palacios. Find displays of antique furniture and tableware in the dining hall, where Bolívar would entertain guests and celebrate his triumphs.
Walk through the terraced garden surrounding the house and spot cherry and walnut trees. Look for the Plaza de Banderas, a great court which displays the flags of Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela and Bolivia, the five countries that Bolívar helped to liberate. See an artillery collection in the Plaza de Armas. From the lookout deck, enjoy sweeping views of Monserrate mountain. See temporary exhibitions in the museum’s gallery, including weaponry and tableware displays, and exhibitions on American liberators.
The Casa Museo Quinta de Bolívar is a 30-minute walk from Plaza de Bolívar. It is easily accessible by public transportation, and a hop-on, hop-off tourist bus also stops outside the entrance. The museum is open daily except Mondays, and on Wednesdays you can take a tour with an English-speaking guide. Visit the museum’s official website for opening times and fees.
