Caldas Capital Manizales Manizales is the capital of Caldas, founded in 1849 by Antioquian settlers on a mountain ridge about 2,150 meters above sea level. The streets climb and descend the slopes around the Plaza de Bolívar and the concrete cathedral, whose tower exceeds 100 meters. At the end of the day, the viewpoints in the Chipre neighborhood show the sun setting over the mountain ranges. Around the city are coffee farms and the Recinto del Pensamiento.