Historical and cultural, Usaquen a place to go shopping On foot – Things to Do and See in Bogotá, Colombia – Must see attractions in Bogotá, Colombia – Colombia Travel Vacations – Hotels in Colombia

One of the city most traditional neighborhoods is Usaquen. Up to 955, when it became attached to Bogota, the place used to be a municipality of the Department of Cundinamarca. The Muisca indigenous community, a pre-Hispanic civilization ruling the Bogota Savanna up to the time of the Spanish Conquest is embedded in Usaquen’s past history. As the story goes, the name of Usaquen was an honour bestowed by the Zipa, the great Muisca Lord, upon caciques of better lineage. In historians’ opinion, Usaquen used to be an important territory. However another version points to the name of Usaca, daughter of the legendary cacique Tisquesusa. She had married in a Catholic ceremony Spanish Captain Juan Marfa Cortes, who had arrived in the country together with the city founder don Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada. Either way, the place evokes a distant and mythical past of a free country, indigenous peoples and reservations, in what is now a locality of Bogota.

The (Parque de Usaquen) square layout is a heritage of the Spanish rule, together with the remains of old estates and houses, some of them converted into restaurants and private houses. Old native walnut trees still dot the place. The Muiscas used to dye their hair with the walnut stain produced by walnut beans.

Visitors will enjoy a large range of possibilities to choose from: sightseeing, and fine shopping and eating. The Hacienda Santa Barbara Shopping Centre, built on the foundations of the old estate, and now a National Monument, could be the final stop of a tour around the place.

The impressive Andean eastern hills overlooking the place, a forestry reserve, is a sight visitors should not leave aside. The La Calera municipality and the San Rafael Ecological Park are the boundaries to this reserve.

The tour around Usaquen begins at Parking Internacional, located at Carrera 5 and calle 119 B

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

City Parking International. On Sundays, the traditional, Flea Market takes place here gathering together the best city artisans.
Cra. 5. southwards. The Latinamerican Episcopal, Council is located here
CL 119 B between cra. 5 and cra. 6. Weave artisan workshops, and typical and international restaurants can be visited here.

Cra. 6 northwards. This street will take you to a large variety of artisan workshops. You will learn how candles, fabrics and furniture are manufactured used traditional techniques. Antique shops are also located along this street.
Cinema Paraiso. A peculiar and cozy cinema.
The emetery. Holding the memory of families involved place to go on a shopping spree in the history of Usaquen.
Colegio del Rosario de Usaquen. A cultural patrimony
Santander School

Visit the Santa Barbara de Usaquen Church
Alcaldia local de Usaquen. Town Hall
Paseo a Santa Barbara – Cra. 7″ southwards. The Santa Barbara Promenada leading to the Hacienda. The Santa Barbara Shopping Centre, is one of the oldest streets in Usaquen. Antique shops, artisan workshops shops selling desserts and typical food are found around the place.
Hacienda Santa Barbara.
Sugestion: if you plan to go on a weekeng bohemian, safe and peculiar dancing spree, Usaquen is the ideal place to visit.