Overview

The presidential palace was built at the beginning of the century. It was restored years later, after the partial destruction on the April 9th, 1948, following the assassination of the Liberal presidential candidate, Gaitán. Antonio Nariño, the precursor of national independence, was born here. It was also home to the famous Expedición Botánica of Mutis. The Observatorio Astronómico Nacional also had once operated from here. Designed by Friar Domingo de Petrés in 1803, it was the first observatory in the New World.