The Boyacá Department has a significant historical interest in Colombia as it is a region where battles were fought that determined the country's independence. It is a Chibcha word that translates as “region of mantas” or “enclosure of the chief”.
When the indigenous and Hispanic cultures of the Boyacá region merged, a new culture emerged, with abundant artistic, gastronomic, and religious manifestations. Its craftsmanship is based on ceramics, basketry, goldsmithing, wheel, decoration, and wool textiles. Its pottery (Ráquira) ranges from the making of household utensils to objects of worship. Meanwhile, the products of basketry depend on the vegetal fiber used (fique, esparto, cane of Castilla) with products such as magazine holders, baskets, espadrilles, rugs, gunpowder containers, bread boxes, trunks, and paper bins. Regarding the wool textiles, these include gloves, scarves, blankets, and ruanas, made in Monguí, Iza, and Cocuy. Other details of the Boyacá craftsmanship (Ráquira and Chiquinquirá) include turning and/or carving of tagua or vegetable ivory, producing chess sets, jewelry boxes, or spinning tops; with other carvings in different materials such as charcoal, stone (Moniquirá and Sogamoso), and wood (Duitama, Villa de Leyva, and Zetaquirá). Additionally, glazed ceramic production (Chiquinquirá) creates beautiful vases, jars, and ashtrays.
The Gastronomy of Boyacá is a delight for the senses, with a profusion of colors, aromas, and flavors, making it one of the best in Colombia. Among the most representative dishes is the famous boyacense stew with ingredients such as pork and beef ribs, chicken, yellow and red potatoes, corn on the cob, and beans; served with avocado and rice. Other dishes include stuffed rice and lamb stew. But when it comes to soups, Mute, lamb testicle soup, maize cuchuco, bread soup in a casserole, mazamorra, and tripe are the most well-known. Other gastronomic offerings include Paipa’s almojábanas and Veleño’s bocadillo with cheese; as well as potato chupe, drizzled potatoes, boyacense tamale, cuajada with melao; guava bocadillo, Soatá dates. Each bite can be accompanied by drinks as old as chicha and maize guarapo; as well as rice masato or panela water.
But it is in the dance and music where Boyacá stands out from other regions of Colombia, with manifestations as traditional and folkloric as la Guabina, which can be performed in pairs or choreographies, showing a story of romantic courtship. El Torbellino is a dance that develops with the female figure spinning rapidly like a top around the male figure, while singing couplets. The region’s musical instruments include resonance boxes such as the Tiple and Requinto; the Carraca (donkey or cow jaw with loose teeth); the Capador (an ancient indigenous instrument made of canutillos of Castilla cane and others like the Guaracha, Tambourine, and Guacharaca).
Among the myths and legends of Boyacá, transmitted orally for centuries, are the stories of Fura Tena and Zarbi, which narrate infidelity and tears turned into emeralds; Bochita, preacher of moral precepts and teachings to the Chibchas; the Donato Well; the Cucacuy; Caxin Bird; and San Francisco’s Dog (a ghost that terrified people).
The clothing in Boyacá evolved from the colorful striped cotton skirts worn by the Chibchas, with a small shawl called liquira (women) and a long wool poncho (men); to the current typical Boyacá attire, influenced by Europe. The peasant’s outfit includes drill pants, cotton shirt, espadrilles, a hat made of pressed clay, and a wool ruana; while the women’s clothing consists of a cotton skirt with wide flounces, embroidered cotton blouse, scarf, straw hat, and white espadrilles tied with black ribbons. With its cultural, historical, and architectural heritage, Boyacá is also a region of beautiful landscapes and tourist attractions; among which can be cited:
Colonial towns such as Villa de Leyva, Iza, Ráquira, Monguí.
Villa de Leyva: is a heritage of colonial architecture and a national monument. Enjoy walking through its cobbled streets; visiting the paleontological museum or strolling through the Plaza Mayor, the Liquor House, the Antonio Ricaurte House (who immolated himself for the libertarian cause in Venezuela); the Antonio Nariño House (a hero of Independence), and the Santo Ecce Homo Convent, among some local destinations.
Ráquira: An artisan and picturesque town due to the profusion of colors in its houses and streets; it offers beautiful ceramics and pottery, basketry, and goldsmithing.
Monguí: Declared the Most Beautiful Town of Boyacá in 1980. Its economic activity, besides tourism, revolves around ball manufacturing. Among the sites that cannot be missed for being national monuments with beautiful architecture are the Basilica Minor of Our Lady of Monguí; the Franciscan Convent; the San Antonio de Papua Chapel, and the Colonial Bridge of Calicanto.
Iza: A town with colonial architecture that has preserved its historical content, such as its pre-Hispanic ancestor, its petroglyphs, myths, legends, and traditions. In the craft of weaving cotton and wool, it maintains practices and uses medieval Spanish looms. Among its tourist attractions are the Sogamoso Archaeological Museum and the Monument to the Lancers of the Vargas Swamp.
Ecotourism at Nevado del Cocuy, Lake Tota, Ocetá Páramo:
Lake Tota: Beautiful landscape, surrounded by picturesque towns such as Iza, Cuitiva, Tota, and Aquitania; famous for trout fishing and water sports.
Nevado del Cocuy: The Sierra Nevada of Cocuy has one of the most beautiful lagoons and valleys in Colombia. It is a water reservoir, and its ecological richness is given by the fauna and flora of the various biomes, ranging from páramo dantas to tigrillos and Andean bears, and the marvel of the Andean condor.
Ocetá Páramo: A delicate ecosystem offering beautiful landscapes while hiking. Its beauty and harmony have earned it the title of the most beautiful páramo in the world.
Leisure, rest, and relaxation at the Hot Springs of Paipa and Iza.
Hot Springs of Paipa: Paipa is a tourist town known for its therapeutic hot springs; as well as for its pleasant climate and beautiful landscapes, offering rest and recreation. It produces typical products such as yuca bread and amojábana.
Hot Springs of Iza: The hot springs of Iza have spas with sulfur content and others with iron content
Other tourist attractions:
Chiquinquirá: It is the second city of Boyacá and the site of religious pilgrimages to Our Lady of the Rosary, the national patroness, at the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary of Chiquinquirá, considered the most beautiful basilica in the world. It produces string instruments of Andean folk music.
Boyacá Bridge: A historic and tourist spot over the Teatinos River, it is a monument in honor of the Battle of Boyacá, during Independence; when Generals Simón Bolívar and Francisco de Paula Santander faced the royalist army, winning the battle.
The Boyacá region’s offering for the enjoyment of visitors is a gift to tourists who wish to immerse themselves in the beauties and wonders of its diverse topography, history, and architecture with a cultural exchange that will mark their happy memories forever, before and after visiting Boyacá.
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