During the 20th century, while many Colombian cities were caught up in the race to modernize and industrialize, Popayan somehow managed to retain its colonial character. Ironically. much of this historic fabric, including most of the churches, was seriously damaged by an earthquake in March 1983, just moments before the muchcelebrated Maundy Thursday religious procession was about to depart. The difficult and costly restoration work continued for over a decade, and the results are admirable little damage can be seen today and the city looks even better than it did before the disaster.
Apart from its beauty, Popayan is a friendly, tranquil and clean city. It has a good tourist office and a range of places to stay and eat, and it's not expensive by Colombian standards. Additionally it's pretty safe, unlike parts of the surrounding region.
Places to Visit
Casa Museo Mosquera
Museo Guillermo Valencia
Museo de Historia Natural
Caso Museo Negre
Iglesia de Santo Domingo
Iglesia La Ermita
Popayan Hotels
Monasterio - Calle 4a Carreras 10 Y 11, Popayan
Phone: +57 (0) 57 22192
Casa Familiar Turistica
Casa Familiar El DEscanso
La Casona del Virrey
Hotel La Plazuela
Hotel Camino Real
Hotel Dann Monasterio
Popayan (population 230,000) is one of the most beautiful colonial cities in Colombia. Founded in 1537, the town quickly became an important political, cultural and religious center, and was an obligatory stopover on the route between Cartagena and Quito. Its mild climate attracted wealthy Spanish settlers from the sugar haciendas of the hot Cali region. Several imposing churches and monasteries were built in the 17th and 18th centuries, when the city; was flourishing.
