The Jimenez environmental promenade: Bogota past, present and future On foot – Things to Do and See in Bogotá, Colombia – Must see attractions in Bogotá, Colombia – Colombia Travel Vacations – Hotels in Colombia

The street carries the name of the founder of Bogotá, the conquistador Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada. It marks the northern end of the historic center It was built over the old San Francisco River running east to west down from the Andes to join the Bogotá River, a larger river which in the early days was the natural city boundary. The old Herb Market, now Parque Santander on the other side of the river became a center of urban development. This section of the city is an outstanding example of a public space and urban history recovery endeavour.

Located right in the heart of the Bogota downtown area, the avenida Jimenez is a broad walking cobblestone strip outflanked by old and magnificent history loaded buildings for years hidden away behind the chaotic jumble of pedestrians and motor vehicles crossing up and down the street. From the old tramway up to the up to date TransMilenio System, this street gradually tells the development of the Bogota city transportation.

Two options are at visitor’s reach to begin a tour:

1. On a west-east fashion, walking by the canal collecting the San Francisco River waters.
2. On an east-west fashion, starting at Quinta de Bolivar and going along the walkway down up to carrera 10.

Churches, religious complexes, squares, monuments and even the remains of old bridges crossing the river in ancient times. This river was the source of the first Bogota aqueduct, and was the axis between the south and north areas of the city. You will pass by the historic place were Jorge Eliecer Gaitan, a popular leader was assassinated. His death, in april 1948, triggered the so called Bogotazo uprising leading to thousands of deaths and and wounded.

I. Eastern sector, begins at Plazoleta del Chorro de Quevedo.

Antonio Narino square (former San Victorino)
Cubillos Building
Pedro A. Lopez Building
San Francisco Palace
Carrera 7 Avenida Jiménez crossing remains of the old tramway rails
Carrera 7, southwestern corner the place were political leader Jorge Eliecer Gaitan was assassinated
San Francisco Church
Veracruz Church. Panteon de los Martires de la Independencia. Independence Martyrs Pantheon
Church of the third Franciscan Order.

Santander Park
Banco de la República Building
Museo del Oro, Gold Museum
Casona del Museo
Jockey Club Building.

II. Avianca Building

Nuestra Señora del Rosario Cloister and la Bordadita Chapel
Park of the News Reporters and shrine to el Libertador (The park, was inaugurated in 1883 to celebrate the first centenary of Simon Bolivar’s birth)

Remains of the old bridge over the San Francisco River.
Building housing the Academia Colombiana de la Lengua Cra 3 # 17-34 © Monument to la Pola (Policarpa Salavarrieta)
Las Aguas Church and cloister, home to Artesanías de Colombia Cra 3 # 18-66
House – Museum Quinta de Bolívar
Los Andes University
Note: To end your tour, a visit to Montserrat is suggested. The funicular station going up to Monserrate is close to Quinta de Bolívar