Bogotá is the capital of Colombia, as well as the largest and most populous city in the country. Bogotá is a city of contrasts. From its founding in 1538 until today it has been growing steadily and shaping its identity. Bogotá was a typical colonial city in the beginning, but around the turn of the 20th century, other European tendencies began to replace the dominant Spanish influence.
Main touristic attractions in Bogota Barrio La Candelaria, with including Casa de Poesía Silva, the Fundación Alzate Avendaño, the Palacio de San Carlos, the Casa del Marqués de San Jorge, the Museo de Numismática, the Biblioteca Luis Angel Arango, the Teatro Colón, and the churches La Candelaria, San Ignacio and Nuestra Señora del Carmen; the Palacio de Justicia, the Museo 20 de Julio, the Catedral Primada, the Capilla del Sagrario and the Palacio Arzobispal. A few steps toward the south, there is Palacio Echeverry, and Palacio de Nariño, the presidential residence; the Palacio de San Francisco and the churches of La Tercera, La Veracruz and San Francisco. Other places of interest include the Plaza de Santander, the Museo del Oro (Gold Museum) and the Universidad del Rosario, on the square of the same name; the Planetarium; the Museo Nacional and the Parque Central Bavaria; the Jardín Botánico (botanical gardens), Acuaparque, Palacio de los Deportes, Museo de los Niños (children's museum) and Parque Simón Bolívar, the largest green space in the city;