Emblematic places

Plaza de Bolívar
Calle real
Cathedral de Nuestra
señora de la pobreza
Plaza histórica en el centro de la ciudad, testigo de importantes eventos nacionales y punto de encuentro ciudadano.

Plaza de Bolívar

It is a central point in the city and an emblematic place for locals and tourists. Located between Carreras 7ª and 8ª and 19th and 20th Streets, it has been a nucleus of social and commercial development since colonial times. In 1963, its most representative monument was installed, the Naked Bolivar, a sculpture by Rodrigo Arenas Betancourt, which, although initially controversial, became a symbol of the city.

The square has been the subject of controversy, especially after its remodeling in 1994. This last intervention, led by Amparo Jaramillo de Drews, sought to materialize the vision of the sculptor, who had proposed a civic square adapted for social and political rallies. This remodeling had the support of the national government, although it was criticized for changing the original design.

Arenas’ work humanizes the Liberator and represents him as a modern Prometheus, evoking the struggle for freedom. Its installation and subsequent modifications consolidated the plaza as the epicenter of cultural and political activities, highlighting its role as a symbol of Pereira’s identity.

Did you know?
The emblematic Plaza de Bolívar did not always bear that name.
Did you know?
Pereira has had three foundations in its history
Have you ever wondered where the first settlers arrived in Pereira?
Did you know?
In the 19th century, to found a city, a very particular symbolic act was carried out
Have you ever wondered what existed in Bolivar Square before the statue of the naked Bolivar dominated its center?
Did you know?
In the Plaza de Bolivar, a specter appeared that the locals feared.
Did you know?
In the Plaza de Bolivar in Pereira there was a shooting
Did you know?
Under the Plaza de Bolivar there are subway shelters.
Did you know?
The Plaza de Bolivar is ornamented with mango trees.
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Calle real

Pereira’s 19th Street, known as Calle Real, is a symbol of the history and evolution of the city. It was the initial step of the colonizers from Antioquia and the place where the first families who founded the village on the ruins of the ancient Cartago settled. At the intersection with Carrera 8, the founding mass of Pereira was celebrated on August 30, 1863, officiated by Father Remigio Antonio Cañarte.

Historically, 19th Street was key for commerce and transportation, being an important connection route for people and merchandise, especially due to its proximity to the railroad.

Calle Real has witnessed the development of Pereira, from its foundation to become a modern city.

Did you know?
In a corner of 19th Street is a symbol of the origins of Pereira.
Did you know?
Pereira's historic 19th Street, one of the most representative streets in the city
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Cathedral de Nuestra señora de la pobreza

Consecrated in 1954, it is one of Pereira’s most important cultural assets. Its internal structure, made of 13,503 pieces of solid frizzy cumin wood, uses an architectural design known as “Temblorera” to guarantee its stability. It was built between 1888 and 1930, with subsequent reconstructions due to the 1906 and 1999 earthquakes.

During the restoration carried out between 2001 and 2013, significant archaeological remains were found, such as human remains, ceramic fragments and historical objects from different periods, from the pre-Hispanic to the contemporary period. Among the most notable findings are the remains of Father Remigio Antonio Cañarte, founder of Pereira, which now rest in a mausoleum inside the Cathedral. These discoveries reveal that the site was used as a cemetery during colonial times and confirm its importance as a sacred space since ancient times.

The Cathedral, declared as such by Pope Pius XII in 1952.

Did you know?
Our cathedral possesses a unique characteristic in the world
Did you know?
After the 1999 earthquake, the cathedral was severely affected in its structure.
Did you know?
During repairs to the cathedral, an unexpected discovery was made.
Did you know?
The Cathedral of Nuestra señora de la pobreza was awarded the Gubbio Award
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Did you know that the emblematic Plaza de Bolívar did not always bear that name?

In its early years, it was known as Plaza Victoria, a reflection of a time when our identity was still marked by European influences. In fact, the urban design of the city and the layout of its streets were the work of an English architect named Walker, who chose the name “Plaza Victoria” for this central place that would eventually become an icon of our history and culture.

Did you know that Pereira had three foundations throughout its history?

The first occurred in 1540, when Marshal Jorge Robledo, who then held the rank of captain, arrived in these lands and founded the city of Cartago. However, just a year later, in 1541, his superior, Sebastián de Belalcázar, arrived and reported that the city had been poorly founded. This forced the colonizers to make a new foundation.

Finally, on August 30, 1863, with a religious ceremony led by Father Remigio Antonio Cañarte, the city of Pereira, which we know today, was legally founded. This third and final foundation marked the beginning of a new chapter for the city and its inhabitants, consolidating its identity and place in the history of Colombia.

Have you ever wondered where the first settlers arrived in Pereira?

Although today the center is the heart of the city, those first settlers did not settle there. On the contrary, they settled in what we know today as Condina. However, these lands did not offer the fertility they expected, which led the settlers to move little by little to areas closer to the current center. Thus began the movement that shaped the Pereira we know today.

Did you know that in the 19th century, in order to found a city, a very particular symbolic act was performed?

Instead of complex ceremonies, it was enough for the founders to unsheathe a sword and mark a large X on a tree, often partially cutting it down. This simple gesture became the first landmark of the new city, thus leaving, with a single mark, the beginning of what would become a new settlement.

Have you ever wondered what existed in Bolivar Square before the iconic statue of the naked Bolivar dominated its center?

Originally, the plaza was an enigma in itself: if someone looked at it from above, they would see a hidden homage to the symbols of Freemasonry, with the compass and square perfectly delineated. But the arrival of the sculpture of the naked Bolivar changed the history of this space. In a remodeling, these Masonic symbols were moved to what we know today as Olaya Herrera Park, although its real name is Victoria Square, so named because of its relationship with the railroad that used to arrive there.

Did you know that in La Plaza de Bolivar a specter used to appear that the locals feared to be the devil?

The square has a small local legend: popular voices say that, during the nights, when the place is empty, strange presences of unknown entities can be felt. Some locals claim to have seen shadows or heard whispers in the dark. Over time, legends indicate that it is not spirits but the devil himself who guards the square.

Did you know that in La Plaza de Bolivar in Pereira there was a firing squad?

Andres Lopez, a criminal of the time, was sentenced by the court of Buga to be shot in a public square. This subject was the last one to be shot in the nation and the first and only one in the city of Pereira.

Did you know that there are subway shelters under La Plaza de Bolívar?

Few know it, but underneath the Plaza de Bolivar there is a subway structure that was designed in the 50’s with a particular purpose: to be an air raid shelter, because the news that came about the Second World War and the bombing of various European cities, spread fear in the city, which gave rise to the bunker. Although this space was never used for that purpose, it still exists and is closed to the public. It is a hidden curiosity of the square that arouses the interest of local historians.

Did you know that La Plaza de Bolivar is ornamented with mango trees?

The Plaza de Bolivar is adorned with imposing mango trees, some of which have been there since the founding of the city; that is, they are more than 150 years old. Also, few cities in the world have, in its central square, this type of trees as ornamental plants, which makes Pereira a unique city worldwide.

Did you know that in an almost unnoticed corner of Calle 19 and Carrera VIII is a symbol of Pereira's origins?

There, in a shoe warehouse, a marble plaque is preserved with a powerful message: “The founding mass was celebrated here”. That moment and that place marked the beginning of the city we know today. Thus, in what is now the Plaza de Bolivar, is the true scenario where Pereira began to be built, the city that now beats and grows with its people.

Did you know that Pereira's historic 19th Street, one of the most representative of the city, has had several names over time?

This road, also known as the “Calle de la Fundación,” was Pereira’s first official street and a key point in its development. In those days, it was the shortest route from the railroad station in Olaya Park, where goods arrived in the city. From there, everything was transported on mules, horses or carts to the Plaza de Bolivar, where goods and parcels were distributed to the rest of the population. For this reason, it was also called “Calle Real”, a name that highlights its importance as an artery of commercial life and connection in the early days of the city.

Few people know that our cathedral has a unique feature in the world: it is known as the “Tin Cathedral”.

At first glance, it is easy to notice that the walls of the cathedral reach up to a certain height in brick, but from there, towards the top, the building is clad in tin. That upper section includes the choir space, traditionally used for liturgical singing before the Second Vatican Council. Surprisingly, that part of the cathedral is supported by an impressive wooden structure, a detailed framework that was only revealed after the 1999 earthquake, exposing an architectural uniqueness that makes our cathedral a symbol of ingenuity and resilience.

After the devastating earthquake of 1999, the cathedral's structure was severely damaged.

In the midst of the repairs, engineers began to remove layers and decks to assess the damage, and what they found astounded everyone: an architectural and artisanal treasure hidden for decades. There, in the heart of the cathedral, stood an impressive timber frame, solid and detailed, a testament to the ingenuity of its builders. Fascinated by the beauty of this find, the restorers decided to leave this unique woodwork exposed, allowing everyone to admire this hidden masterpiece that is now part of the unique character of our cathedral.

During repairs to the cathedral, an unexpected discovery occurred that connects the present with the past.

While excavators and workers were carrying out reconstruction work, they found ancient archaeological remains in the subsoil of the cathedral. These objects, which carry with them fragments of forgotten histories, are now housed in a small museum within the cathedral itself. Thus, this sacred place is not only a witness to faith, but also the guardian of pieces that reveal a wealth of history hidden beneath its foundations.

Did you know that the Cathedral of Our Lady of Poverty was awarded the prestigious Gubbio Prize for Latin America and the Caribbean in 2015?

This international recognition for Best Architecture was awarded in honor of its careful reconstruction, which managed to combine the cathedral’s architectural tradition with an innovative contemporary approach. The cathedral’s structure, famous for its unique features, such as the use of sheet metal in its construction, captivated both for its uniqueness and the bold preservation of its historical legacy. This award confirms that the cathedral is not only a spiritual symbol, but also an architectural masterpiece that represents ingenuity and respect for tradition.

Have you ever wondered who laid the foundations for the 1886 Constitution?

Mr. Francisco Pereira Martinez was one of the first to leave the first signs of what would become the creation of this important Constitution, which eventually became one of the pillars of our legal history.

¿Sabías que, en el siglo XIX, para fundar una ciudad, se realizaba un acto simbólico muy particular?

En lugar de ceremonias complejas, bastaba con que los fundadores desenvainaran una espada y marcaran una gran X en un árbol, a menudo cortándolo parcialmente. Este sencillo gesto se convertía en el primer hito de la nueva ciudad, dejando así, con una sola marca, el inicio de lo que sería un nuevo asentamiento.