Church of San Agustín

In front of you is a church that has seen more wars than many fortresses. Its exposed stone walls hold almost four centuries of Santafé history, from the Augustinian friars to the riots of the 20th century.

1The Augustinians' church

The Augustinians arrived in Santafé in 1575. Around 1642 they began this three-aisled church beside the Manzanares River, now channelled beneath Calle 7, and the date carved on the doorway, 1668, marks the end of the work. Inside, the highlights are the choir stalls, carved in cedar by Pedro de Heredia, and the figure of Jesus of Nazareth by Pedro de Lugo Albarracín.

2La Pola and the battle

After her execution in 1817, Policarpa Salavarrieta was buried in the common grave of the Veracruz church. Her brothers, who were clergymen, later claimed the body and brought it to this church.

In 1861, the seizure of Church property decreed by Mosquera expelled the friars, and the monastery became a barracks. In February 1862 the church was at the heart of the Battle of San Agustín between Conservative troops and Mosquera's forces. The building was damaged and lost part of its decoration and archive.

The monastery remained a barracks until 1938 and was then demolished to make way for the Ministries building. Only the church survived.

In April 1948, being so close to the presidential palace, it was damaged again during the Bogotazo. The restoration of 1980 to 1986 gave it back its colonial look.

3What to look for

• The stone doorway, with Tuscan columns and the date 1668.
• The stone and brick walls, scarred by centuries of repairs.
• The white tower, in contrast with the bare stone front.