In the Santander region, there is a small town where it seems like the clock's hands have stopped. This is Barichara, a place with beautiful stone streets, lanterns on the corners, and white houses with clay tiles that preserve intact the colonial air from centuries ago.
Visiting Barichara is a date with the tranquility and peace of past times. Wandering aimlessly through its streets, you will clearly hear your footsteps and can surrender to your thoughts.
And indeed, Barichara is not a town adorned with museums and shops. In reality, it is a place that has managed to maintain its authentic atmosphere, carefully preserving the charm of those low houses that repeat one after another in streets that ascend and descend in harmony with the geography of the area.
The colonial architecture of Barichara is one of the great charms of this town.
However, you can visit beautiful buildings like the Temple of the Immaculate Conception and San Lorenzo Mártir, which is the largest church in Barichara. It was built in the 18th century, and its magnificent dome rises majestically above the other constructions of the town.
Likewise, you can find places selling local crafts and restaurants where you can try typical dishes of Santander, such as the famous "culonas" ants and the delicious "sabajón," a sweet and creamy liquor-based drink.
Finally, you can head to one of Barichara's viewpoints at sunset to observe the town from above and be moved by the sunset among the mountains. Don't forget your camera, as it's a sublime moment.
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Discover other Heritage Towns
The Plaza Mayor of Villa de Leyva is one of the most representative of the Heritage Towns of Colombia.
Barichara is part of the Network of Heritage Towns, so after visiting this wonderful place, you'll surely want to continue visiting sites where you can firsthand appreciate Colombian roots.
One of them is Salento, a beautiful town located in the department of Quindío and governed by the characteristic green color of the coffee mountains.
In Salento, the buildings also retain the charm of the past, but the houses look very different from those in Barichara, as their facades and balconies are overflowing with colors and flowers.
In this beautiful town, you can also learn about and acquire the beautiful crafts of the area, such as bracelets made of aromatic coffee beans, calabash tree dishes, weavings, and decorations made of bamboo. Also, you can climb to viewpoints that will give you a magnificent panoramic view of the Cocora Valley.
Another beautiful Heritage Town of Colombia that you shouldn't miss for anything in the world is Villa de Leyva, located in the department of Boyacá and offering one of the most authentic displays of colonial past.
This town is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful in Colombia, and it is very famous for its historical importance and its magnificent square, which covers 14 thousand square meters.
In addition to its colonial architecture, Villa de Leyva is characterized by its varied rural landscapes, ranging from the páramo area to the desertic, allowing for adventure sports.
Don't think twice. Let yourself be enchanted by the wonderful Heritage Towns of Colombia and discover the charms of a past that today, fortunately, remains alive thanks to the beauty of these splendid places.
