Architecture of Colombia
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Colombia's architectural heritage includes Spanish colonial architecture including Catholic churches. Its modern architecture represents various International Style architecture. In the postmodern architecture era a wave of innovate and striking buildings have been designed.
Colombian cultural heritage includes indigenous, European, Indian and African influences. The country's colonial buildings reflect their Spanish (and particularly Andalusian origin, as seen in the traditional single-story) houses laid around a central patio, to be found both in colonial towns such as Santafé (Bogotá), Tunja or Cartagena, or in rural haciendas throughout the country. After gaining its independence, Colombia severed its links with Spain and looked elsewhere for new models, first England, then France,[1] marking the beginning of what became known as Republican Architecture (Arquitectura republicana), an era that lasted well into the twentieth century, when the changes in architectural thinking in Europe brought Modern Architecture to the country during the last years before World War II.
Prominent Colombian architects include Rafael Esguerra, Daniel Bermúdez, Giancarlo Mazzanti, Rogelio Salmona, Álvaro Barrera, Patricio Samper Gnecco, Bruce Graham, Laureano Forero Ochoa, Pedro Nel Gómez, Raúl Fajardo Moreno, Rafael Esguerra, Arturo Robledo Ocampo and Simón Vélez. Firms include plan:B.
Jorge Arango, , Jaime Correa and Felipe Hernandez (architect) were born in Colombia. Bruce Graham worked in Colombia.[citation needed] Expats such as Leopold Rother worked in Colombia.
Pre-Columbian period[]
Pre-Columbian architecture was varied. The Muisca, although portrayed as the summit of Colombian indigenous civilization, was modest compared to Mesoamerica or the Inca Empire. Their architecture was limited to rather small settlements and structures, made out of wood and clay instead of stone.
However some other pre-Columbian civilizations are known for their architecture, such as the Tairona (known for Ciudad Perdida) and the culture of Tierradentro.
Colonial period[]
Colombian architecture reflects seventeenth-century Spanish colonial origins. Regional differences derive from those found in Spain. Thus, hints of Moorish and Castilian architecture are evident in many cities. Many areas have had difficulty maintaining older structures, and the climate has destroyed many Baroque buildings. The many churches that dot the landscape are among the country's architectural gems, whose interiors reflect the influence of Medieval and Renaissance churches in Spain. Newer buildings in larger cities utilize modern styles with adaptations of the Baroque style supplemented with wood and wrought-iron elements.
Republican (Republicano) period[]
Modern architecture in Colombia[]
In the 1930s, Colombia began to embrace modern architecture. The new Liberal Party government tore down many older buildings to reject the conservative past. In their place, it constructed modern buildings with an international flavor.
Housing developments[]
Until the mid-1940s, most Colombians lived in single-family dwellings built of cinder blocks and covered with an adobe made of clay, cow manure, and hay.[citation needed] Uncontrolled urban growth due to massive migration from rural areas resulted in large unplanned settlements in cities. There have been a few notable examples of high-density housing projects, but most are targeted to the rising middle-class. These include the , which followed the principles of Le Corbusier and the by architect Rogelio Salmona.
Gallery[]
Cathedrals[]
The Metropolitan Cathedral of Medellín.
The archbishopric cathedral of Bogotá, by Domingo de Petrés, 1792. Neoclassic style.
San Ignacio church by Fray Luis Gutierrez. Medellín, 1803.
Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá, 1995 (detail).
Las Lajas Cathedral, 1949. Gothic Revival architecture.
Our Lady of Lourdes church, Bogotá, 1875 is an example of Gothic Revival architecture.
Virgin Mary, Queen of Barranquilla Cathedral
Buildings[]
Some of the most important buildings in Colombia are:
Horizon Building. Cartagena. 140 metres (459 ft) high.
Escollera Tower. Cartagena. 206 metres (676 ft) high.
Coltejer Tower 1977. Medellín. 175 metres (574 ft) high
Historic heritage[]
Bogotá[]
La Candelaria neighborhood, Bogotá.
Camarín del Carmen Theatre, Bogotá, 1625.
Colon Theater, by Pietro Cantini. Bogotá, 1892.
Medellín[]
Cartagena-Santa Marta[]
San Felipe de Barajas Fortress, Cartagena.
San Pedro Alejandrino, death place of Simón Bolívar, Santa Marta.
Cúcuta-Villa del Rosario[]
House of Francisco de Paula Santander, Cúcuta
Julio Pérez Ferrero Library, Cúcuta
Historic Temple of Villa del Rosario, Villa del Rosario
Landmarks[]
Maloka Museum, Bogotá.
Guadua architecture[]
Main tower, Colombian National Coffee Park .
Architectural styles in Colombia[]
Colonial architecture in Colombia[]
Colonial facade at Santa Fe de Antioquia
Central plaza of Villa de Leyva
Clock Tower, Popayán
Facade with Balcony at Cartagena de Indias
Spanish Inquisition Palace, Cartagena
Pedro de Heredia Theater, Cartagena
Streets of Cartagena
Neoclassical architecture in Colombia[]
Neoclassical building, Barranquilla
Neoclassical building, Barranquilla
Neoclassical building, Barranquilla
Popayán Cathedral
Romanesque Revival architecture[]
Metropolitan Cathedral of Medellín
Metropolitan Cathedral of Medellín, detail
Metropolitan Cathedral of Medellín, pulpit
Our Lady of Rosary cathedral, Girardota
Gothic Revival architecture[]
Ubaté Cathedral
Neo-Mudéjar architecture[]
Interior view of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Carmen in Bogotá
Mudejar revival building
Art Deco architecture[]
Cristobal Colon Theater, Barranquilla
Garcia Building, Barranquilla
Romelio Martínez Stadium déco detail
Barranquilla Calle Real Shopping Center
See also[]
References[]
- Architecture of Colombia