Temple of San Agustin

About

Just behind the Casa de Nariño is this church, built in carved stone and declared a National Monument. The temple was built between 1642 and 1668 in colonial style as part of the old convent of the Order of St. Augustine. Among the historical events that took place here is the execution of the heroine Policarpa Salavarrieta, in 1817, and the Battle of San Agustín, in 1862, which had this complex as its epicenter. Precisely because of this episode, the church was damaged in the southern sector and lost an important part of its decoration and part of the documentary archive. Other historical events took place in its surroundings, which led to further destruction of some sectors. Beginning in 1953, the building underwent repairs that were completed in later periods until 1986. The oldest colors and finishes of the murals were recovered, as well as a staircase that communicated with the convent. A tour of the interior of the temple reveals a valuable heritage, represented in exquisite carvings, altarpieces, murals and canvases, distributed in its different chapels. Some outstanding works are the wood and metal sculpture of Jesus the Nazarene, the paintings of the life of Jesus, Mary, the Holy Family and St. Augustine.

It has 49 paintings on the choir stalls and several plaster sculptures attached to the front and to the choir seat. The choir is the oldest and best preserved in Colombia. The Temple of San Agustin was declared a National Monument in 1975.