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Square · Pereira, Risaralda
Plaza de Bolívar de Pereira
Pereira's central plaza, with the Bolívar Desnudo, a bronze sculpture by Rodrigo Arenas Betancourt, and the Catedral de Nuestra Señora de la Pobreza, which has a wooden interior structure.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Plaza de Bolívar de Pereira
The Plaza de Bolívar is the center of Pereira, a city founded in 1863 and today the capital of Risaralda. The square is wide, with trees, benches and the bustle of shops around it. In the center stands the Bolívar Desnudo, a bronze sculpture by Rodrigo Arenas Betancourt inaugurated in 1963, which shows Simón Bolívar naked, riding a horse at full gallop. The work caused controversy at the time and became the city's symbol.
On one side of the square is the Catedral de Nuestra Señora de la Pobreza, built at the end of the 19th century. From the outside the façade is simple; inside, the nave is covered by a wooden structure made of thousands of fitted pieces, like the hull of an overturned ship. The wooden roof withstood earthquakes that struck the region.
Pereira's downtown is commercial, with shops, banks and cafés. Carrera Séptima and Avenida Circunvalar gather restaurants and bars. Nearby is the Viaducto César Gaviria Trujillo, a cable-stayed bridge that links Pereira to Dosquebradas over the Otún river valley.
The square is a good starting point to begin a visit and have a coffee before heading to the hot springs, the farms or the villages of Quindío.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
From 45 minutes to 1 hour, including the cathedral.
Best time
In the morning or late afternoon, when the center is busy and the cathedral is open. Check mass times.
How to get there
In downtown Pereira, about 5 km from Matecaña airport and 2 km from the bus terminal. Megabús buses, a dedicated-lane system, run nearby.
Tip
Go into the cathedral and look up: the wooden ceiling is the most striking feature. Walk around the Bolívar Desnudo to see the horse's motion from both sides.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Plaza de Bolívar de Pereira
Why is the Bolívar of Pereira naked?
The sculpture by Rodrigo Arenas Betancourt, from 1963, depicts Bolívar naked on a galloping horse, a free interpretation of the hero. It caused controversy and became a symbol of the city.
What is special about the cathedral?
The interior is covered by a wooden structure made of thousands of interlocking pieces, which resembles the hull of a boat.
Is it worth staying in Pereira?
It's a practical base, with an airport and city hotels, near the Santa Rosa hot springs and Parque del Café. The villages of Quindío are about an hour away.