{"id":233848,"date":"2025-04-10T18:10:34","date_gmt":"2025-04-10T16:10:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/visit-latin-america.com\/popayan-the-white-city-of-the-colombian-andes\/"},"modified":"2025-04-10T18:10:53","modified_gmt":"2025-04-10T16:10:53","slug":"popayan-the-white-city-of-the-colombian-andes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/visit-latin-america.com\/en\/popayan-the-white-city-of-the-colombian-andes\/","title":{"rendered":"Popay\u00e1n, the white city of the Colombian Andes"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

At the heart of the Cauca region in south-west Colombia<\/a>, Popay\u00e1n is the perfect embodiment of the colonial elegance and spiritual richness of a country shaped by centuries. Nicknamed \u2018The White City\u2019, its peaceful atmosphere is just as appealing as the depth of its cultural heritage. Its immaculate facades, the chime of its bell towers and the cobblestones of its historic centre tell the story of one of the most important cities of the Viceroyalty of New Granada. <\/p>\n\n

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A city of history and influence<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n

Founded in 1537 by the explorer Sebasti\u00e1n de Belalc\u00e1zar<\/strong>, Popay\u00e1n was originally called \u2018La Villa\u2019. Thanks to its strategic geographical location<\/strong> – at the crossroads between Lima, Quito and the Caribbean ports – it quickly became a centre of trade and a focus of political and religious influence<\/strong>. Twice capital of Colombia in the 18th century, it played a leading role on the national stage for a long time, helping to forge the Colombian identity. Even today, its intellectual importance endures, embodied by its university, one of the oldest and most prestigious in the country, from which many heads of state have graduated. <\/p>\n\n

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A walk through time<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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To explore Popay\u00e1n is to step back in time as you stroll through one of the best-preserved historic centres in Latin America<\/strong>. The stroll begins in Parque Caldas<\/strong>, the vibrant heart of the city, where the statue of the scientist and independence hero Francisco Jos\u00e9 de Caldas<\/strong> takes pride of place. Around the square, the jewels of colonial architecture are revealed: the majestic Catedral Bas\u00edlica de Nuestra Se\u00f1ora de la Asunci\u00f3n, the San Francisco cloister<\/strong> and the Torre del Reloj<\/strong> (Clock Tower), nicknamed the \u2018nose of Popay\u00e1n\u2019, which has been marking time for almost three centuries. <\/p>\n\n

A few steps further on, you can taste the history: the famous aplanchados<\/strong> pastries, crisp and delicately sweet, are the pride of the city. Recognised as part of Colombia’s intangible gastronomic heritage, they are a genuine local tradition. <\/p>\n\n

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Una publicaci\u00f3n compartida por Aplanchados Do\u00f1a Chepa (@aplanchadoschepa)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n