National Capitol

Welcome to the southern edge of the iconic Plaza de Bolívar, a space proudly named after the legendary liberator Simón Bolívar. Stretching massively before us is the Capitolio Nacional, identified in our records as El Congresso…

Standing at the base of the broad stone steps, look up at the breathtaking facade. The original design was conceived by Thomas Reed, an English architect invited to Colombia specifically to build a structure that would embody the…

As we pass through the grand portico, we enter the first of the building's massive internal courtyards. The Capitol is essentially composed of three main blocks separated by these open-air patios. …

Moving into the central block of the Capitol, we arrive at the Salón Elíptico, or the Elliptic Hall. This vast, incredibly impressive room serves as the meeting chamber for the House of Representatives, and it is here that joint…

Before we leave the Elliptic Hall, direct your gaze to the monumental mural located behind the main dais. Much like the artwork in the US Capitol that tells the story of the American Revolution, the Colombian Capitol is heavily…

We now transition to the northern block of the complex to view the Senate Chamber. If the Elliptic Hall is vast and sweeping, the Senate Chamber is designed to feel more concentrated, solemn, and intimate, reflecting its role as…

Our final stop within the complex is the southernmost courtyard, the Patio de Rafael Núñez. This patio is named in honor of the author of the 1886 Colombian Constitution and the composer of the lyrics to the Colombian national…

Our scholarly exploration of the Capitolio Nacional, the National Congress of Colombia, ends here on its grand stone steps. We have admired Thomas Reed's unyielding neoclassical vision, a stark contrast to the domes of other…