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| Other
sites of interest |
 Parque
Nacional Natural
Farallones de Cali
This park has a total
of 150,000 hectares
the divide the Pacific
basin and the Cauca
river: it is made up
of jungles with
diverse flora and
fauna. An indigenous
community known as the
Emberra defends the
integrity of the park
while sacredly
preserving its
traditions.
For the enjoyment of
its visitors, the park
possesses
interpretative paths
throughout its
countryside. The “Pance,”
“Corea” and “Loro
de Aguila” peaks are
amongst the park’s
most magnificent, and
there are two on-site
environmental
Education centers that
conduct environmental
protection workshops.
Cartago
This city is 187
kilometers from Cali
at 197 meters above
sea level. The average
temperature is 24
degrees centigrade.
Founded by Marshall
Jorge Robledo in 1541,
it is considered one
of the most beautiful
colonial cities in the
country. Its historic
center has been
declared a national
monument. This city
boasts several
buildings erected at
the end of the XVI
century such as the
Cathedral, built
between 1779 and 1837.
Visitors can also tour
the “Casa Negra,”
“El Cabildo,” “La
Ermita” and “El
Museo.” Cartago is
known for its hand-
embroidered products
made by young and
adult women who
endeavor to preserve
this typically
Columbian tradition
and secret style.
Parque
Nacional Natural Las
Hermosas
This park possesses
150,000 hectares
between moors and
Andean jungles. There
are approximately 300
lagoons throughout the
park, and deer, “guaguas,”
pumas, “osos de
anteojos” and dantas”
roam freely throughout
the land. The park is
also home to the
descendants of the
Pijao indians. Sites
to visit at the park
include: fog and wax
palm forests, the
canyon “Cañon de
las Hermosas,” the
moors “El rocío,”
“Barragán” and
the “Estrella,”
and the lagoons: “Laguna
de Las Mellizas,”
“Santa Teresa,”
“Las Truchas,” “La
Rusia,” “Santa
Rita” and “La
Negra.”
Ginebra
This city is 59
kilometers from
Santiago de Cali at
1100 meters above sea
level. The average
temperature here is 23
degrees. The city was
founded in 1910, and
in the month of June
receives numerous
Columbian music lovers
thanks to the “Festival
del Mono,” a musical
celebration conducted
by the best national
composers, musicians
and singers. The
bridge “El Puente de
Piedra” and the
Hacienda La Esmeralda
constitute part of the
city’s patrimony.
Its buildings are
colonial in style and
have been preserved
for the tourists´
pleasure.
El
Cerrito
This city is close to
Santiago de Cali at
987 meters above sea
level, and was founded
on August 30 1864. The
average temperature
here is 24 degrees
centigrade. For
tourism purposes, the
municipality possesses
buildings deemed as
national monuments
such as: the “Casa
Municipal,” the “Casa
de la Cultura,” the
“Casa Cural” and
the “Casa Colonial.”
The “Haciendas del
Paraíso de
Piedechinche” round
out the city’s
tourist sites and are
a must see.
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The magic color
of the land in Valle Caucana manifests itself
over and over in the memories of those who
longing decided to visit its warm prairies in
search of the sound and flavor of sugarcane.
Valle
Department
Geographically
situated in the southwestern Columbia, the
Valle de Cauca Department boasts varied
climates and is recognized as one of the most
industrialized sections of the country. The
Buenaventura port, one of the most important
in the country, was built to take advantage of
the Pacific coast’s geography.
The richness of its lands allows it to sustain
prominent sugar mills and grape crops destined
to wine production.
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Points
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 Santiago
de Cali
Founded by Sebastián de Belalcázar in 1536,
its historic sector is considered a National
Monument. Santiago de Cali is recognized as
the third most important city in the country
and its women are considered to be the nation’s
most beautiful. Innumerable songs have been
composed to praise the beauty of these very
women, including verses such as “The women
from Cali are like flowers.”
 Catedral
Metropolitana
The construction of this site began in the XVI
century and ended in the XIX century. The
Metropolitan Cathedral houses a beautiful
religious art collection and is known for its
“Altar to Our Lord.” (Altar del Altísimo)
 Cristo
Rey
Located on the “cerro de Los Cristales,”
this 42 meter statue stands guard over the
city to protect it from all danger.
 La
Iglesia de la Ermita
The interior of this church is dedicated to
the veneration of the “Señor de Caña”
and the “Virgen de los Dolores” and is
characterized by a gothic construction that
stands out amongst the surroundings.
 Plaza
de Toros de Cañaveralejo
This bullfighting arena is one of the most
important in the country and Latin America.
The renowned “Feria de Cali” takes place
in this arena, gathering some of the most
prestigious bullfighters from around the world
in a festive New Year setting.
 Zoológico
de Cali
This zoo houses more than 170 species in
beautiful surroundings that allow the visitor
to appreciate the marvels of nature.
 Hacienda
El Paraíso
This hacienda and its beautiful homes and
gardens were the setting for the recreation of
the “Historia de La María,” the crowning
example of American Romantic Realism by
Columbian novelist Jorge Isaacs.
 Museo
de la Caña
This museum is located in the Piedechinche
Hacienda, and was built to honor the labors of
sugarcane crop cultivation.
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 Guadalajara
de Buga
This city is famous for its pilgrimages to the
“Santuario del Señor de los Milagros”
where petitioners and vow makers gather in
gratitude for favors received. The urban
architecture of the XVII and XVIII is well
conserved, a fact that is particularly evident
in the general state of “La Catedral,” “El
Templo de San Francisco” and the “Palacio
National.” Its historic center is recognized
as a National Monument. “La Ciudad Señora”
is known for its Santuary, where the image of
the “Señor de los Milagros” is venerated.
The story tells of an old woman who while
washing her clothes gathered an image of
Christ that was traveling down river. Excited
by her finding, the old woman took the image
home where it grew and grew until it was
eventually a meter high. Upon seeing this, the
woman’s neighbors began to tear off pieces
of the image, causing its deterioration.
According to witnesses, a Popayán visitor was
ordered to burn the image of said figure, but
to the surprise of all, the Christ image began
to sweat for two days, during which dozens of
believers took the opportunity to soak cotton
pieces to later conserve them as relics and
objects for miraculous cures. A hermitage was
built on this site, and believers continue
their venerations. The dark colored image is
still intact, and measures 1.70 meters in
height. Thanks to donations from the faithful,
this religious figure is adorned with a crown
of gold and precious stones. Blood spills
abundantly from its sides and its image
projects both resignation and imposing
majesty.
Museo
del Señor de los Milagros
This
museum houses murals painted by Gustavo Rojas.
Torreo
de la Ermita
Built in 1830, this site was part of the
hermitage where the image of the “Señor de
los Milagros” was initially venerated.
Catedral
de San Pedro
Built in 1573 and destroyed in 1766 by an
earthquake. It maintains its colonial stature
and boasts an altar with 18kt. gold
incrustations.
Iglesia
de San Francisco
This church was constructed in 1745,
reconstructed in 1870 and restored in 1970.
Casa
Museo Cornelio Hispano
This home is the museum site of the “Instituto
de Investigaciones Científicas del Valle.”
(Valle Institute for Scientific Research)
Hotel
Guadalajara
This
hotel was built in the Californian style of
the 50´s, and is the most traditional in the
region.
Other sites of interest
include the: “Concha Acústica
Bernardo Romero Lozano,” “Puente de la
Libertad,” “Parque Bolívar,” “Hostal
El Regidor,” “La Casa de los Pérez, “El
Palacio de Justicia or Casa de la
Gobernación,” “Monumento de Alejandro
Cabal Pombo,” “Teatro Municipal” and the
“Iglesia de Santo Domingo.”
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 La
Unión
This area is located 163 kilometers from
Santiago de Cali at 975 meters above sea
level. The average temperature is 24 degrees
centigrade.
Founded in 1640, it is considered the most
important wine producing region. This
municipality is known as “the queen of the
grapes”, and is home to a beautiful church
known as the Capilla de la Hermita, built upon
a hill in the XVIII century. This chapel
maintains its original colonial style, and its
hill location permits a view of the
wine-related activities taking place in the
region below. Visitors can find lodging in
hotels close to the municipal seat and share
in the tradition of grape farming.
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