Aerial view of a church with a red-tiled roof, surrounded by a large pedestrian plaza with scattered trees. A road with vehicular traffic is visible to one side, and urban buildings surround it. The composition shows the organization of the public space and the architecture of the area from a top-down perspective. Aerial view of a Neo-Gothic church with a tall tower and ornate facade, located in a large urban plaza. Trees, pedestrians, and buildings of varying heights are visible around it, with a dense urban area and mountains in the background. The scene depicts a busy public space in the city during the day. Aerial view of a Neo-Gothic church with a tall central tower and a detailed stone facade, located in the middle of a large pedestrian plaza. Trees, people walking, and roads with vehicular traffic are visible around it, along with numerous residential and commercial buildings that make up a dense urban environment, with mountains visible in the background.
  • Descripción
  • Cómo llegar

🎧 Audioguía del atractivo

This charming spot, located on Carrera 13 between Calle 63 and Calle 64 in the Chapinero district, dates back to 1886 and, given the church built there, should really be called the Plaza of the Basilica of Our Lady of Lourdes.

Initially, the plaza was called Parque Rivas; however, in 1920 it was renamed Plaza República Argentina. It wasn't until the mid-20th century that the place became known as the Plaza de Lourdes, a site that has become geographically established as the heart of Central Chapinero.

In the 1920s, the plaza featured a pond surrounded by flowers and a bridge under which ducks swam. This remained the case until the mid-1990s, when what was left of the pond, by then a swimming pool, was demolished to make way for what is now an 8,700-square-meter public plaza surrounded by shops and restaurants.

Speaking of the basilica, Lourdes is the second largest church in Bogotá, after the Primatial Cathedral. Recognized as a basilica by the Vatican in 2016, its neo-Gothic-Moorish style gives the place a very special character. Some compare it to Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, Milan Cathedral, or even the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona.

While the Plazoleta is an ideal place to meet up with friends, sit and chat, have a coffee, or enjoy a wafer during the day, at night it transforms into a vibrant area for enjoying musical genres like rock, salsa, and protest music. 

Nearby venues include the Astor Plaza Theater, Theatron, and the Teatro Libre de Bogotá.

📍 Instrucciones de llegada

You can get there by TransMilenio and get off at the Calle 63 station. From there, walk one block towards the eastern hills, and you'll find the Church of Lourdes. You can also get there by bus or SITP along Carrera 13 and get off at Calle 63. Carrera 7 is also an option.